This £7.3 million project, completed in 2003, involved the re-cladding and internal refurbishment of the Dainton building, a prominent 1960s five-storey building in the city centre, for chemistry for bio-sciences, offices and general teaching purposes, including a new 300-person lecture theatre.

Designed as a landmark gateway project, the proposals feature a new atrium area behind an inclined planar glass curtain wall.

The new atrium is built on what was formerly a wasted area between the original building and the footpath. By bringing this area into beneficial use, the circulation spine is taken out of the main building, greatly enhancing floor plate efficiency.

A dramatic space is created, into which additional functional space is incorporated.

The project received the East Midlands RIBA Export Prize in 2004.