**UNITYCAMPUS**
Meeting the low carbon and lab space demand through early engagement
For many people, the answer might simply be ‘good health’ or something that removes the threat of serious illness.
Thanks to advances in modern medicine, we are living longer than ever, but we are also more demanding of our healthcare providers.
It follows that Life Science is an industry that truly affects all of us. Add to that, the impact of the recent global pandemic, and we are even more aware of the importance of the UK science, technology and research sector - its advances and positive outcomes being discovered.
And yet, in a report by Bidwells supported by pollsters YouGov entitled Life Sciences 2030 it is clear that this demand is far outstripping supply:
In June of 2022 demand for lab space in Cambridge alone totalled nearly 1.2 million square feet, yet the availability was near zero.
But, whilst demand for space is at an all time high, the delivery of this new space must also work to respond to our climate emergency.
Lower carbon design and operation of buildings has become ever more important criteria for investors and tenants alike.
Responding to this dual need, the Howard Group are currently mid-way through a masterplan to develop Unity Campus in Sawston, Cambridgeshire - providing low carbon, life science space in the Golden Triangle…
Unity Campus is an exciting new urban innovation district in the heart of the Cambridgeshire countryside.
Located 8 miles south of Cambridge, the 11-acre Campus, which is already home to 12 leading life science and technology companies, is undergoing a major expansion.
Three new laboratory buildings are due for completion by the end of 2023 and a further three buildings by the end of 2025 providing an additional 150,000 sq ft of floorspace. Other out-dated industrial units have been sustainably repurposed into state-of-the-art offices and laboratories adjacent to a well-equipped fitness centre. Community, societal impact and sustainability underpin every aspect of the operation and development of the Campus.
Click to watch the 90sec film
Great science often gets done through collaboration and interaction, so we wanted to ensure the design fostered and encouraged that.
Project Managed and led by Patrick Watson of 3PM, a competitive contractor selection process began Autumn 2021 with Morgan Sindall Construction being appointed early in 2022 to a pre-construction services agreement (PCSA).
Morgan Sindall then led the design team through detailed technical design and costing process, picking up from RIBA stage 3, navigating one of the most uncertain times for market conditions and inflationary impacts. The second stage was completed within timeline and budget, allowing works to commence on site following an initial enabling works contract in August 2022.
From the beginning, the Howard Group and customer team have led on instilling a spirit of collaboration across the project.
Click to watch the 60 sec film
Client | Howard GroupProject Manager | 3PMCost Consultant | CB3Architect | Nicholas HareC&S | ConisbeeMEP | Hoare Lea/HiveLandscape | FIRAContractor | Morgan Sindall
By getting involved at the earliest stage, we're able to bring in Intelligent Solutions like CarboniCa and advise on changes to design that will save on carbon and/or cost.
To deliver the vision, the masterplan for Unity Campus has been purposefully designed to foster business interactions and friendships.
It evidence’s the key attributes of what is prescribed for a successful science cluster and ecosystem, elements which were debated during our recent Cambridge Life Science workshop which we hosted in Cambridge with industry experts:
Read the paper
Morgan Sindall Construction are currently on site delivering Phase 2 at the campus, following on from Phase 1. The Works, as it is now known, is fully let and has provided 5420m2 of new flexible laboratory and office space.
Completed in December 2019, this £18.5 million scheme re-used the former warehouse’s structural frame, floor slab and foundations, saving 1,900 tonnes CO²e of carbon. The Howard Group have ambitious plans to complete the masterplan with construction of Phase three by the end of 2025 which will provide a 150,00sqft of desperately need laboratory office space for the Cambridge area.
Everyone has that drive - to be honest, it's as simple as I wish all projects were this pleasurable. It's a five minute conversation, issues get unlocked and that's the power of the team!
