Oxford North, Oxford / Gort Scott, 2023

A project for a new £45m flexible CL2 life sciences laboratory, located at the heart of a masterplan for a new science and technology district in Oxford. The building comprises c.15000m2 of floorspace across five floors, providing workspace, integrated end-of-trip facilities, lab gases and waste infrastructure, rooftop plant and new landscape.

As Project Architect, I led the project from the initial brief, through the concept design phase and on to a successful planning submission (RIBA 0-3 ≈ LPH1-LPH4). Designs were developed with a focus on sustainability and off-site production, both of which formed a key part of the project brief. Ongoing whole life carbon analysis was used to inform design decisions, whilst repeatable componentry was explored to maximise opportunities for pre-fabrication. Functional elements such as escape stairs and servicing are located externally to both liberate the floor plan, maximising efficiency and flexibility, and play a key role in defining the building’s architecture.

Collaborating with an extensive design team including multiple specialist engineers and laboratory experts, I have developed a deep understanding of the technical requirements for this building type, and a robust awareness of the general demands of this growing sector.

Visuals: Benjamin Carter  /  Model: Wilkinson Eyre