Dr Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building set to drive new era of heart and lung innovation
Imperial College London has officially launched the Dr Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building – a state-of-the-art, six-storey facility within the National Heart and Lung Institute that is set to drive a new era of innovation in respiratory and cardiac science right here in WestTech London.
The refurbished building was formally opened by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester, who met with researchers and toured the new laboratories to learn more about the NHLI’s vital mission.
Made possible by a multi-million pound gift from philanthropist Dr Victor Phillip Dahdaleh and the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Charitable Foundation, the new research building establishes a cutting-edge laboratory plus new teaching and collaborative facilities in the Hammersmith Hospital Life Sciences Campus adjacent to White City Innovation District
Tackling global health challenges
Heart and lung conditions continue to be a major health burden worldwide. In England alone, respiratory disease affects one in five people and is the third leading cause of death, behind only cancer and cardiovascular disease. To support scientific discovery in this key area, Dr Dahdaleh’s gift also establishes the Dr Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Graduate Centre for Respiratory and Cardiac Sciences, supporting early‑career researchers and funding new Graduate Fellowships over the next three years.
Imperial College London President Professor Hugh Brady underlined the impact of this strategic investment, which strengthens Imperial’s presence within the rapidly-expanding WestTech London cluster of life sciences research institutes, innovative companies and NHS partners:
“This building is much more than just bricks and mortar; it creates a place that accelerates the National Heart and Lung Institute’s collaborative, translational research and ensures discoveries reach patients faster.”
Sustainable development
The Dr Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Building represents a major refurbishment project – delivered in partnership with Mace Construct – and is Imperial’s first fossil fuel-free facility. This sustainability milestone was achieved through replacing steam with air source heat pumps, upgrading the façade with high‑performance triple glazing, and improving energy efficiency through water source heat pumps.
Read more in this Imperial news story.
Photo credits: Imperial College London/Fergus Burnett
