Newcastle's Stimulating Hub: The Catalyst Newcastle

The Catalyst building, part of the £350m Newcastle Helix development, is set to revolutionise the city as a global hub for innovation in the Digital and Health and Wellbeing arenas. Located in the Catalyst building, the National Innovation Centre (NICA) will facilitate the commercialisation of key products, services, and technologies that aim to improve the quality of life for people as they age.

The primary focus of the new centre is to develop new products and services via data analytics, addressing the increasing ageing challenge in the UK. The Catalyst building, designed by GSSArchitecture, will bring together businesses, academics, and members of the public to collaborate and support the research and development of new ageing and data products and services.

The Catalyst building, also known as the National Innovation Centre, will open its doors to the public in spring 2020. The six-floor, 100,000 sq ft structure is one of the most complex and unique in the region, boasting a diagrid design that makes it instantly recognisable and the centrepiece of the Helix development site.

The building offers flexible Grade A office space, public areas, co-working spaces, a data visualisation suite, a 175-seat TED style theatre, workshop, exhibition space, cafe, an impressive 20-seat board room with panoramic views, and more. The building design promotes a collaborative working ecosystem that is built on communication and interaction between the innovation centres and commercial industry experts.

GSSArchitecture, one of the leading national architectural and top consultant practices, founded in 1879, was involved in the project from inception to completion. They successfully coordinated a complex stakeholder engagement programme with multiple, local and national organisations. The firm, which also has offices in Kettering, Harrogate, Gloucester, Milton Keynes, and Newcastle, covering England, Scotland, and Wales, is currently working on other projects across the North East, including offices, research buildings, student accommodation, masterplanning, and projects in the Health Ageing and well-being sector.

The Catalyst building has recently welcomed its first residents, which include teams from Newcastle University's National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) and the National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD). The building is hoped to help break down barriers, change perceptions, and be a world-class facility, attracting the very best international talent to collaborate in the heart of Newcastle.

The Catalyst building is not just a showcase for GSSArchitecture but also for the University's Innovation Centres. It was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, a testament to the project's meticulous planning and execution. The building will host a variety of events and exhibitions before its official opening, further showcasing its potential as a hub for innovation and collaboration.

The opening of the Catalyst building marks a significant milestone in Newcastle's journey towards becoming a global hub for innovation, particularly in the fields of Digital and Health and Wellbeing. The building's focus on ageing research and data analytics is timely, given the increasing ageing challenge in the UK and around the world. With the Catalyst building at its heart, Newcastle is poised to lead the way in addressing this challenge and improving the quality of life for people as they age.