THE construction company behind the Centre for Experimental Medicine at Queen’s University is celebrating after winning an award for its work on the project.
O’Hare & McGovern was announced as the overall winner of the Construction Excellence Awards 2015 in recognition of its activity on the Wellcome-Wolfson Building.
The new centre at Queen’s is part of an investment of £350m in buildings and facilities over the next 10 years to support the university’s vision.
It provides working space for 330 staff specialising in researching cures for eye disease, respiratory disorders and vascular complications linked to diabetes. Hosted by the Construction Employers Federation in partnership with Specify magazine and in association with Ulster Business, the award was presented to the firm by guest of honour Dame Mary Peters.
Praising O’Hare & McGovern, Damien Toner, director of estates at Queen’s, said: “We congratulate O’Hare & McGovern in delivering this worldclass facility at Queen’s.
“The new Wellcome-Wolfson Building and Centre for Experimental Medicine is an interdisciplinary research facility and is designed to enhance our internationally recognised excellence in education and research.
“The building will achieve an environmental BREEAM rating of excellent, as it incorporates a range of measures to deliver a more sustainable building.
“Environmental sustainability is integral to the university’s objective of reducing carbon emissions by 2020.” Commenting on the accolade, managing director Eamon O’Hare added: “This was an outstanding achievement by a special team involved in a very unique project. “It also required massive effort and total commitment.
“We are immensely proud of the building and it strengthens our long partnership with Queen’s University.”