Levitt Bernstein has been commissioned to design a new visitor centre for the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France.

The new building will comprise a medical suite, teaching space, research facilities and café for the Institute, which is one of the world’s leading centres for neutron science and technology.

Inspired by the movement of particle reactions, the building features a lenticular façade with a combination of transparent and opaque glazing. Angled roof finishes reference the mountainous landscape.

A double height entrance hall welcomes visitors, who can then move through to ground floor medical suite or café and garden. Flexible teaching and research spaces are available upstairs for visiting scientists and academics.

The project was procured through a two-stage design competition. Levitt Bernstein collaborated with local practice TKMT, and the two will continue to work together as the scheme progresses through planning and construction. The building is set to complete and open in mid-2020. 

Gary Tidmarsh, Chairman at Levitt Bernstein, said: “This building will mean the Institute Laue-Langevin can retain its status as a world leader for scientific research. We’re delighted to have been appointed alongside TKMT and build upon our burgeoning international and commercial portfolios.”