Cardiff Innovation Campus

Bouygues UK, Bouygues Bâtiment International’s subsidiary in the United Kingdom, delivered two landmark buildings at Cardiff University’s Innovation Campus: sbarc, designed by Hawkins\Brown, and the Translational Research Hub (TRH), by HOK. Situated at Maindy Park, this state-of-the-art campus brings together academics, students, businesses, and policy makers to catalyse research, influence policy, and launch new enterprises.

sbarc stands out as the UK's first social science research park and features another UK first: the Oculus staircase. This sculptural open stair travels through a slanting void, designed to spark engagement and collaboration across diverse disciplines. The staircase starts as a social hub on the ground floor and creates breakout zones at each level, reflecting the building’s ethos of openness and connection.

The Innovation Centre within sbarc provides creative spaces for start-ups, spin-outs, and partnerships, supporting Cardiff’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. The campus transforms a former rail yard into an environment where ideas flourish and interdisciplinary thinking thrives.

The Translational Research Hub (TRH) at Cardiff University is a centre for breakthrough science and enterprise. Home to the Institute for Compound Semiconductors and the Cardiff Catalysis Institute, it facilitates partnerships between academia and industry, driving economic growth locally and beyond.

Bouygues UK delivered cleanrooms built to precise specifications under complex conditions, enabling Cardiff University and partners to develop pioneering technologies and lay the foundation for a world-class semiconductor cluster in South Wales. The TRH also includes advanced microscopy areas, supporting innovation in nanomaterial imaging and catalyst design.

The project placed strong emphasis on social value. Bouygues UK collaborated with Cardiff University student ambassadors to share the story of the build and foster community engagement. Volunteers from various academic backgrounds documented the transformation of the site, amplifying its impact across the campus and the wider city.