Our first fossil fuel-free building

A major refurbishment project at Imperial’s Hammersmith Hospital Life Sciences Campus has transformed a 30-year-old building into a cutting-edge, fossil fuel-free research facility. The newly named Dr Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building now houses the Graduate Centre for Respiratory and Cardiac Sciences, supporting pioneering work at the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI). 

Thanks to a generous £10 million gift from Dr Victor Philip Dahdaleh, Imperial has created a space that not only enables world-class research but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable building design across the university. 

A complex retrofit delivered with precision 

The building, formerly known as the Clinical Research Building, has undergone a full internal refurbishment across levels two to six, including plant rooms on the ground and upper floors. The challenge? Keeping vital research operations running on the ground and first floors throughout construction. 

The retrofit included: 

• Bespoke laboratory and office spaces on each floor 
• New Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories on the ground and fifth floors 
• Upgraded infrastructure for ventilation, heating, cooling, and power 
• New toilet facilities and breakout areas 

Imperial’s internal technical teams – covering mechanical and electrical engineering, Building Management System (BMS) controls, security systems, and safety disciplines – played a central role in guiding the project. Their expertise ensured that the retrofit met the highest standards of safety, functionality, and sustainability. 

Collaboration at the core 

The project has been delivered in partnership with construction company Mace Construct. While full completion of the project will be reached later this year, the majority of work is finalised.  

Paco Villegas Ruiz, Capital Projects Programme Manager in Imperial’s Property Division, said that open communication and trust were key to navigating the complexities of retrofitting a live research facility: 

“From the outset, we established a channel of communication with Mace where no conversation was off-limits. This trust was essential to solving problems quickly and collaboratively.” 

Imperial’s first fossil fuel-free building 

Sustainability was a driving force behind the retrofit. The Dr Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building is now Imperial’s first fossil fuel-free facility, thanks to three major interventions: 

• De-steaming: The building was disconnected from the NHS Trust’s steam network. Instead, air source heat pumps were installed to provide heating and cooling. 
• Fabric upgrades: The south façade’s curtain wall and windows were replaced with high-performance triple glazing, improving insulation and reducing energy consumption by around 22%. 
• Energy efficiency: Water source heat pumps were introduced to recover heat and support domestic hot water and heating systems. 

The retrofit is a milestone in Imperial’s journey toward net-zero carbon campuses by 2040 for direct emissions – demonstrating how older buildings can be transformed into high-performance, sustainable environments without compromising on functionality or comfort. 

Harriet Wallace, Director of Sustainability, said: “This project has been a learning experience for us as an institution. These upgrades not only reduce the building’s carbon footprint but also serve as a model for future retrofits across Imperial’s campuses. It’s shown that fossil fuel-free buildings can be both practical and inspiring – and it’s a model we plan to replicate.” 

Enabling world-class research 

The refurbished building offers over 3,500 square metres of cutting-edge research space, bringing together Imperial’s cardiac and respiratory specialists under one roof to carry out a broad spectrum of research – from discovery science through to clinical trials, with a particular focus on respiratory health.  

This co-location fosters deeper collaboration within the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) and strengthens links with Imperial’s White City Deep Tech Campus. 

Professor Barbara Casadei, Head of the NHLI said: “This retrofit is more than a building upgrade – it’s a symbol of Imperial’s commitment to sustainability, collaboration, and scientific excellence. 

“Dr Victor Dahdaleh’s generous gift has enabled the creation of the Graduate Centre for Respiratory and Cardiac Sciences, supporting fellowships and advancing research that will improve lives around the world.” 

Find out more about the official launch of the Dr Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building.