Allies and Morrison Appointed to Lead Masterplan Evolution for Wellcome Genome Campus Expansion
The Wellcome Genome Campus has appointed Allies and Morrison to lead the review and evolution of its masterplan, to establish a long-term framework that will guide the development of the world-renowned Campus in Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, as it begins a major expansion.
The Campus, already a globally recognised hub for genomics, biodata, health data and data science, is home to occupiers including the Wellcome Sanger Institute and EMBL-EBI with the new Health Data Research Service (HDRS) arriving in 2026. The expansion of the Campus will see the site increase in size from 125 acres to 440 acres. Backed by the Wellcome Trust, the first phase alone is one of the largest contemporary investments in the UK’s life sciences infrastructure.
New research and translation spaces, new homes, health and fitness, food and drink and community uses, new parks and gardens and sustainable energy infrastructure will be introduced. The masterplan will set out how the existing site and the expansion area, east of the A1301, will seamlessly integrate, operating as one single, cohesive Campus to support collaboration across science, data, technology, and translation into real-world health impact.
Allies and Morrison is using their experience with research and innovation districts to shape a clear vision for the future Campus and its future success. The Campus boasts a rich scientific heritage and sits within a remarkable landscape. The masterplan aims to celebrate this existing context, introduce a greater variety of uses and deliver open access for the public. The Campus is evolving from a gated, secure research centre into an open, welcoming place and destination and the masterplan is informing and guiding this process.
Rachel Mundell, Director at Allies and Morrison, said: “We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Wellcome Genome Campus in south Cambridge, and excited to be involved at this moment of strategic change and investment. We are delighted to be supporting the growth of this world-leading life sciences and technology destination and its mission to discover new science and improve lives for everyone. The project adds to our rich portfolio in science and innovation, in Cambridge and beyond.”
Robert Evans, CEO of Wellcome Genome Campus, commented: “Bringing the Campus together under a single, cohesive masterplan and evolving it into an open, welcoming place and destination is hugely important and significant, as we embark upon our major investment and expansion. Allies and Morrison understand how to design places where research, innovation and community can thrive and grow together. Together, we are shaping a campus that feels connected, open and ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
