Cost model: Labs in the sky

Michael Uren building and rail line

Record levels of investment into the life science sector and an increasingly limited supply of space have encouraged laboratory buildings to enter the high-rise realm

Michael Uren building and rail line

Imperial College London鈥檚 new 14-storey Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Research Hub was designed by Allies and Morrison. The concrete external fins represent strands of DNA and were cast from a 50:50 mix of cement and GGBS. Michael Uren, after whom the building is named, discovered that ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GBBS) waste, a product of steel manufacture, could be used as cement substitute in concrete, which reduces its carbon footprint

01 / Burgeoning demand, constrained supply

The pandemic put a spotlight on science, and in 2021 life science companies around the world raised a record-breaking 拢113bn in investment. The US is arguably still at the forefront, but the UK life sciences sector is growing fast with a record 拢4.5bn invested in 2021 (60% up on the previous year) and it has seen a boom in start-ups and spin-outs, with a further 拢20bn ready to invest in property development: ready but waiting for space.

Demand is outstripping supply, with developers looking to deliver the specialist facilities needed as quickly as possible, investing time in understanding the needs of the various life science sub-sectors and how base buildings can be enabled to suit a range of potential occupiers efficiently and cost-effectively.

According to Bidwells, available space in Oxford and Cambridge is 鈥渃lose to zero鈥, while London has its planning and logistical challenges in accommodating new development. These three centres forming the 鈥済olden triangle鈥 are all constrained by their green belts, too.

This leaves developers who are able to deliver life science facilities in a strong position but, equally, tenants are demanding high-quality environments that not only meet their specialist requirements but also provide the amenities found in contemporary office buildings.

So, a need for significant quantities of specialist and collaborative space with various support spaces and amenities, against a background of constrained supply: enter the tall laboratory building.

Read more鈥

This is PREMIUM content, available to subscribers only

You are not currently logged in. Subscribers may LOGIN here.

to access this story

Gated access promo


A subscription will provide access to the latest industry news, expert analysis & comment from industry leaders,  data and research - including our popular annual league tables. You will receive:

  • Print/digital issues delivered to your door/inbox
  • Unlimited access to building.co.uk including our archive
  • Print/digital supplements
  • 好色先生TVletters - unlimited access to the stories behind the headlines

now 

 

Get access to premium content