A radical £20 million University of Nottingham chemistry lab burnt to the ground has been stunningly re-built.
The landmark building on Triumph Road was two-thirds complete when it was destroyed by a massive fire in September 2014.
An electrical fault led to a blaze which could be seen from Giltbrook and had to be tackled by 50 firefighters.
But the university pledged to reconstruct it in its original design using tons of wood instead of concrete and metal.
Two years later research has begun in the labs and experts hope to make it one of the world’s leading centres for discovery and development in chemistry.
Using photovoltaic panels for power, its own natural air conditioning and even lift shafts made of wood, it is already one of the country’s most environmentally-friendly buildings.
Video: How Notts TV News reported the fire in September 2014
The Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry is also already home to research into fuel cell technology based around turning acids into electricity, which could one day transform batteries in mobile phones.
Professor Peter Licence, director of the centre, said: “This is huge for Nottingham and huge for the university.
“This building is here to inspire people to do things differently. If you don’t walk up to this building and say ‘wow’, then I think we’ve failed.
“Some have said ‘wow, that’s ugly’ and some have said ‘wow that’s amazing’ – I think you have to have the courage to inspire people.”
He added: “Everybody asks us about the fire and the response is quite simple. This one is more or less identical in the way it was built and planned.
“It was terrible but it actually strengthened our resolve. The scientific community came to our support. I received more than 200 emails encouraging us to plough on because we need change.”
Every material involved in construction has been measured for its carbon footprint – to ensure when it is one day demolished it has had zero impact on the environment in terms of greenhouse gasses.
It was part-funded by a £12 million grant from pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline.
Andy Nolan, director of sustainability at the university, said: “There is no other building like this in the world, let alone in the university sector.
“It’s very ambitious in terms of design and to achieve it as a chemistry lab is ambitious – but I think the sector as a whole is now taking climate change very seriously.
“I remember finding out that the fire was happening from a Twitter feed. I actually felt my stomach knot up – it was heart-breaking. Colleagues that worked alongside us were literally in tears.
“But the response of the university, all the team was really positive.”
