With several departments and faculties undertaking materials research across the campus, the brief called for the creation of a unified Materials Discovery Facility. Consolidating activity into a single building was intended to support cross‑faculty collaboration, drive further grant funding opportunities, and attract leading academics in the field.

Delivery of the brief required close liaison with end‑users, project managers, and specialist consultants to capture and develop a complex programme of requirements. The existing building presented several legacy issues which had to be reviewed, managed, and resolved as the project progressed.

Project objectives

To create an outstanding Materials Discovery Facility

To deliver world‑class new facilities for Chemical Engineering, supporting their planned expansion

To ensure that the building infrastructure adequately supports the intended laboratory use

To address defects within the existing building infrastructure and ensure all planned functions are fully supported

The project scope comprised three principal elements: Modifications and upgrades to existing laboratories, consolidation and extension of existing spaces to provide new laboratory accommodation and refurbishment of associated administration and write‑up areas.

Laboratory works included the alteration and expansion of an existing Cleanroom, construction of a new Cleanroom, and the provision of controlled‑environment spaces with electromagnetic shielding to one laboratory. The scope also incorporated a significant increase in fume cupboard provision, including walk‑in units, standard units, and extensive use of Nedermann extract arms.

A particular challenge lay in the Materials Hub, where we designed and coordinated the installation of 12 small fume cupboards, 5 large fume cupboards, and 2 walk‑in fume cupboards within an area of approximately 175 m², inclusive of circulation. This required highly detailed spatial planning and coordination across multiple services.