Constructing science: Building consortium launches new dynamic model and guidance to help life sciences real estate

Gleeds are delighted to be part of a consortium of prominent health, life sciences and construction consultants that has launched Constructing Science; a first-of-its-kind and free to use dynamic model and building standards, that enables decision makers to quickly determine whether an existing or proposed lab building is suitable for the type of scientific work they have planned for the space.

By setting out a baseline for building quality labs, Constructing Science solves a significant problem facing the life sciences sector – a lack of readily accessible and universally agreed design and construction standards.  This is especially critical given high demand for lab space.  As of June 2023, Cushman & Wakefield are tracking over 2 million square feet of active demand for laboratory demises within the Golden Triangle.

Although developers are working to fulfil the need for labs – either through new builds or repurposing existing structures – they cannot afford to build space that may not be fit for purpose because inaccurate or sub-standard specifications have been used.  

This is where Constructing Science comes in.  The dynamic model enables building owners and investors to collapse the process of building feasibility studies from months to minutes and provides much needed clarity for the market with clear recommendations for high quality lab space from trusted practitioners in the construction market.

Galvin Tarling, Global Head of Life Sciences at Gleeds, who has helped clients such as BioMed Reality and The Technology Partnership build and fit out high end laboratory spaces such as The Portway Building, Granta Park and Project Birchwood, Melbourn, said: “Constructing Science is expected to play a key role in facilitating provision of fit-for-purpose laboratory space that has not existed before.  By making our collective knowledge available in this dynamic format; it will speed up the process of non-technical investors understanding the outline scope for laboratory development. This should be a huge step forward and will propel growth in the UK life sciences sector.”

Check out the dynamic tool and standards. 

To join the initiative email info@constructingscience.com

The Constructing Science consortium is made up of MedCity, EEDN, Gleeds, Cushman & Wakefield, Gensler, Buro Happold, Hoare Lea, CPC, Mission Street and Ramboll.