Best Retrofit & Reuse Building
Area
Area's laboratory project with Gen Two, a real estate developer focused on life sciences and office space, exemplifies a commitment to client satisfaction, technical excellence, sustainability, and innovation in adaptive reuse. This high-profile laboratory conversion demonstrates our team's ability to deliver exceptional results under challenging circumstances, while adhering to best practices in health and safety, sustainability, budget management, and supply chain collaboration.
Bond Bryan: Fairhursts
Cambourne 2020 isn’t a flashy showpiece—but rather a blueprint for outstanding methodology. The project brought together leading life science design and build specialists to translate a redundant office floor into low-carbon high-performance labs. An exceptionally strong emphasis on tight team integration, innovative construction methods, and embedded tenant engagement allowed the project to progress seamlessly without any disruption to the sensitive research activities within the larger building. This project proves that clients truly can have it all – with the project finishing on budget, ahead of schedule, aesthetically attractive, and completely future-proofed.
Shepheard Epstein Hunter
The transformation of UEA’s Grade II listed Lasdun Wall Building 3 delivers a world-class life sciences facility through innovative retrofit and extension. Stripped back to its frame and extended, the building will host adaptable modular labs, cutting-edge research spaces, and vibrant social learning areas — all while preserving its architectural heritage. Sustainability is at the heart of the project, with enhanced thermal performance, and energy-efficient design supporting UEA’s net-zero goals. Delivered in close collaboration with the client and supply chain, the scheme exemplifies technical excellence, innovation, and placemaking — setting a new standard for reuse in the life science sector.
AKT II
The Crick Skylab is a transformative example of adaptive reuse, converting an underutilised rooftop into a cutting-edge life sciences research facility without expanding the building’s footprint. Delivered by AKT II, the project exemplifies sustainable innovation, integrating advanced laboratories, flexible office spaces, and communal areas designed to foster collaboration and support evolving research needs. Working within the constraints of the original structure, the team retained the iconic steel vault roof, adding photovoltaic panels and a bespoke cleaning cradle system. Structural and acoustic solutions were carefully tailored to avoid disrupting the institute’s ongoing operations across 11 occupied floors. The Skylab features modular lab systems, sustainable materials, and autonomous plant configurations—ensuring flexibility, longevity, and energy efficiency. Enhanced circulation, compliance with fire safety regulations, and seamless integration with the existing institute reflect thoughtful design and execution. The Crick Skylab sets a new benchmark for responsible development, showcasing technical excellence, environmental stewardship, and user-focused innovation in complex research environments.
British Land and Royal London Asset Management
BL and RLAM are on-track to bring a truly next-generation life sciences asset to market by Q3 2025. BL proactively took back space at 1 Triton Square from Meta in September 2023, repositioning the asset into a world-class science and technology building located at the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter. Having taken the opportunity to reposition 1 Triton Square, BL and RLAM have acted quickly and creatively. The JV partnership is delivering a sustainable, market-leading life sciences scheme in the centre of one of the capital’s most well-established innovation hubs.
Hawkins\Brown, Mace Fit Out + Retrofit and Synnovis
The Synnovis Hub, also known as SLIPS, is a remodelled office building transformed into one of the UK's largest pathology laboratories. Serving nearly two million patients, it operates on a 'hub and spoke' model, with urgent services in hospitals and non-urgent services at the Hub in Southwark. The facility processes 70% of Synnovis's pathology activity, leveraging cutting-edge technology. The refit includes advanced laboratory spaces, specimen triage areas, scientific support zones, and staff amenities, all connected by a robotic Telelift system for rapid sample distribution. It integrates functional needs within a cohesive environment to support London's growing population and NHS services.
