New Ageing and Vitality research centre planned for Newcastle

GSSArchitecture has been appointed by Newcastle University to develop the masterplan for a new build, mixed-use urban developed in the centre of Newcastle.

The development, the Campus for Ageing and Vitality (CAV), will be situated on a brownfield site to the North of the city.

The CAV will encompass a range of uses, allowing for healthy ageing research, innovation and development to be carried out at one location.

GSSArchitecture will be working closely with the university’s partners, including Newcastle City Council and Newcastle NHS Foundation Trust to develop plans that will establish the site as a premier centre for healthy ageing and living.

The ambitious plans for the site were originally unveiled in March at an Invest Newcastle event at The Biosphere on the landmark Helix development.

GSSArchitecture project partner, Jonathan Hunter, has been working with the team to ensure this development can be a world-leading centre for scientific and academic research.

He said: “This site represents a fantastic opportunity for Newcastle to grow its already significant, national reputation as a centre for excellence in ageing, innovation and digital science.

“We aim to develop a masterplan that will support a truly integrated community, focused on the principles of Health, Wealth and Wellbeing in later living and we are delighted to be working with Newcastle University and the City Council in delivering this vision.”

GSSArchitecture were also the team behind the Catalyst building at Newcastle Helix, how to both the National Innovation Centre for Ageing and the National Innovation Centre for Data.

The CAV development will provide a test bed for innovation, implementation and evaluation of new technologies and lifestyle approaches for the older person, across a wide range of sectors.

With approximately 25 per cent of the UK population aged over 60, and with this figure predicted to rise significantly by 2040, the CAV site will stimulate a renewed focus on the challenges ageing brings, including early prevention and diagnosis of chronic diseases, and improved management of multi-morbidity.