Kier has handed over a new 150,000 sq ft state-of-the-art home for life science organisations in the UK at the Advanced Research Clusters (ARC) West London Refinery Building development in Hammersmith. Combining technical capability, including our Mechanical and Electrical (M&E), Design, and Canals and Waterways teams, and in-house decarbonisation experts, we delivered a highly-sustainable, high-spec laboratory, research and development space all under one roof.
150,000 sq ft
of high-spec, laboratory, research and development space under one roof
A key innovation saw existing
350mm
in-situ slabs retained, which are vital in helping reduce vibrations for future tenants when engaging in sensitive scientific research
Refinery will increase ARC West London’s footprint by
100%
and address the shortage of lab space across the university cities of Cambridge, London and Oxford

"We are very proud to have delivered such a fantastic facility at Refinery, Manbre Wharf: a pinnacle development in innovation and technology in West London. It further strengthens our retrofit and refurbish experience and capabilities in a sector that is so vital to the UK’s economy. The scheme required in-depth experience and complex technical expertise from across the Kier offering; not only in delivering large-scale, low-carbon developments on a constrained inner city site, but also next to a public walkway and the River Thames."
David Rowsell, managing director, Kier Construction London & Thames Valley
Our 360 approach in action:
Kier’s 360 approach involved technical capability and expertise from across the Group to provide:
Retrofit and repurpose: Kier works with clients to support them with large-scale, complex change of use and conversion projects, delivering high-quality, high-spec science and tech space, with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations and the local community.
Kier Design: Our in-house design team delivered the temporary works design assurance to support the civil engineering works required across the site.
Digital: Innovative digital processes and robust planning methodologies were used to improve project scheduling and cooperate with planners from our Mechanical and Electrical team. This resulted in accurate, shared programme information which aided the timely and successful completion of the Manbre Wharf project.
Decarbonisation: Our experts supported on all aspects of decarbonisation on the project, meeting ambitious goals in sustainability, efficiency and adaptability, and reducing demolition waste and conserving embodied carbon.
Mechanical and Electrical: Our experts managed specialised installations to support the project’s BREAAM ‘Very Good and EPC ‘A’ status targets. This included a state-of-the-art Building Management System (BMS) to monitor and control energy consumption.

Reshaping the future of science and research in west London
Located on the River Thames, the project involved the extension and reconfiguration of the existing four-storey building on site. Our retrofit and repurpose expertise, including digital technology and modern methods of construction, resulted in an additional two-storey extension of laboratory and event space being added, along with a green biodiverse roof.
The Refinery development will double ARC West London’s footprint and has been designed to address the shortage of lab space across London and the wider Golden Triangle formed by the university cities of Cambridge, London and Oxford.
Creating a sustainable lasting legacy through innovation and job creation
Designed to meet ambitious goals in sustainability, efficiency and adaptability, the concrete structure was retained to reduce demolition waste and conserve embodied carbon.
Key innovations included 350mm in-situ slabs which were used and vital in helping reduce vibrations, which are critical for future tenants when engaging in sensitive scientific research.
It will sit alongside ARC’s accelerator space, Motherlabs. This landmark space will house the thriving innovation community, which has seen a 43% increase in life science start-ups across London and the South East.

"By combining Imperial’s world-class research, our expertise in creating dynamic innovation campuses and our partnership with the NHS, we’re building a unique ecosystem where life science and health startups can thrive. This collaboration will accelerate the journey from discovery to real-world impact, strengthening West London as a global location for science, technology, and healthcare innovation."
Jim Stretton, managing director of ARC