Learn how our work with the University of Cambridge supported the delivery of this landmark research facility, aligning investment with long-term goals.
The Ray Dolby Centre is a flagship development for UK higher education.
Officially opened in May 2025, it houses the world-renowned Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, and plays a central role in the University of Cambridge’s long-term vision for research, teaching and innovation.
As cost and commercial advisors, we worked with the University’s Estates Division and its delivery team to manage cost, risk and procurement over nearly a decade. Our role supported key decisions at every stage – helping to keep the programme on track, navigate market uncertainty and deliver within budget.
Beyond the building itself, our work helped create wider outcomes, from reducing future running costs and improving environmental performance to enabling skills development and early careers opportunities throughout the programme.
We also supported the university’s wider ambition to transform the Cambridge West Innovation District into a more sustainable and connected campus – contributing to the masterplan and advising on the delivery of key public realm works.
Today, as clients across the public sector increasingly look to infrastructure as a lever for positive change, the Ray Dolby Centre stands as a model of what long-term collaboration can achieve in the education sector.
What makes the Ray Dolby Centre a landmark for UK research?
For 150 years, the Cavendish Laboratory has been key to some of the most significant breakthroughs in science, from the discovery of the electron and neutron to revealing the structure of DNA.
As research has evolved, so too has the need for facilities that can match its pace. The Ray Dolby Centre marks the laboratory’s third home since its founding, providing a purpose-built space designed to meet the technical demands of modern physics.
Named in recognition of an £85 million donation from the Ray Dolby estate, along with £75 million in UK government funding, the centre forms a cornerstone of the university’s strategy to create a globally connected, interdisciplinary research campus.
The building is designed by Jestico + Whiles and delivered by Bouygues UK and is part of the wider Cambridge West Innovation District. It brings together more than 900 researchers, PhD students, postdoctoral and professional services staff, alongside hundreds of undergraduates – all under one roof – and contains a range of highly specialised facilities. These include cleanrooms, cryostats, laser optics and microscopy laboratories, as well as high-quality teaching, communal and office spaces.
Clear cost and commercial insight from day one
From the start, we supported capital cost planning and whole life cost modelling to inform smarter design and investment decisions. This included developing 10- and 25-year cost profiles that showed how design changes could reduce future maintenance and operational costs by up to 75 per cent.
We also advised on procurement strategy – recommending a combined contract for the Ray Dolby Centre and the neighbouring West Hub. This helped reduce coordination risks and ensure three separately funded projects (Cavendish III, the West Hub, and associated infrastructure) could be delivered efficiently under one construction agreement.
As delivery progressed, we developed and implemented a robust change control process, using our expertise in New Engineering Contract (NEC) frameworks. Working with the university, Bouygues UK and the wider team, we used the Asite platform to provide a live, auditable view of the project’s financial position. This allowed the project team to respond quickly to change while maintaining transparency and accountability.
Despite the external pressures of Brexit, coronavirus and inflation, the project was delivered successfully within budget. Close collaboration between the university, contractor Bouygues UK, and the wider team were key to making that happen.
AECOM was involved in the project from its commencement to completion and has proven to be proactive, responsive and professional during the design and construction process and have worked collaboratively with the entire project team to realise the client’s objectives throughout, particularly under challenging external site conditions during coronavirus-related restrictions.
Project Director, University of Cambridge
Supporting early careers and creating pathways into the industry
As part of the wider delivery team, we worked with the University of Cambridge and Bouygues UK to support the project’s social value goals – helping to open up career pathways and support skills development across the sector.
More than 100 apprenticeships, work placements and graduate roles were created across the project’s lifecycle. Within our own cost management team, early career professionals made a strong contribution, with around 45 per cent of booked hours delivered by apprentices and graduates (Levels 12 and 13). That’s equivalent to over 16,000 hours, or one full-time early career professional working across the life of the programme.
In total, 19 apprentices were involved in the project, several of whom have since progressed to more senior positions, including four AECOM degree apprentices who worked on the scheme.
Furthermore, we delivered four annual lectures to Cambridge architecture undergraduates, supporting the next generation of built environment professionals. Modules covered during engagement sessions included project controls, stakeholder engagement, contract strategy and whole life costing.
Creating a sustainable and connected campus
The Ray Dolby Centre is targeting BREEAM Excellent certification, reflecting its high environmental performance and energy efficiency. The building is carefully designed to protect sensitive equipment, with tightly controlled conditions and zero-fossil fuel heating and cooling systems.
As part of our broader involvement, we supported the University of Cambridge in developing the Cambridge West masterplan – working to shape a cohesive vision for public realm and landscape across the site. We have been engaged since 2017, providing masterplanning and landscape architecture services.
We were later retained as technical advisor to support the delivery of key landscape elements – ensuring that design intent was maintained through to construction. This included the first phase of public realm: the 3-hectare JJT Garden. Designed as both green infrastructure and a student commons, the garden manages around 2,000 cubic metres of stormwater through integrated sustainable drainage features (SuDS).
The space forms the start of a new ‘green spine’ for the campus and includes new tree planting, seating, water features and a shared cycle and pedestrian path that will eventually connect key parts of the site.