Kier has handed over a new 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.
The project has created 150,000 sq ft of high-spec, laboratory, research and development space under one roof.
Located on the northern embankment of the River Thames, the project included the extension and full reconfiguration of the existing four-storey building on site. An additional two-storey extension of laboratory and event space was added, together with a green biodiverse roof for encouraging habitat creation and a new corrosion resistant façade emblemised with Corten steel.
Designed to meet ambitious goals in sustainability, efficiency and adaptability, the concrete structure was retained to reduce demolition waste and conserve embodied carbon.
Key innovation 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.
Inside, the building has been fully redeveloped to provide space for laboratories, and flexible working areas including a business lounge, design-led offices, co-working spaces and meeting rooms.
The facility also has provision for a restaurant, event studio, presentation suite and cycle facilities for 200 bicycles.
"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 cut and carve experience and capabilities in retaining and modifying existing buildings for future use, in a sector that is so vital to the UK’s economy.”
The scheme required in-depth experience and technical expertise; 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.
At Kier, we leverage our group-wide capability and our integrated 360 approach to support our clients at every stage of the project lifecycle. Through our in-house design, decarbonisation and engineering expertise – and our specialist mechanical and engineering team – we were able to use modern methods of construction and digital technologies to successfully deliver this complex build."
David Rowsell, managing director for Kier Construction London & Thames Valley
"These new partnerships at the heart of the new Fulham Riverside Life Sciences
Precinct mark another major milestone in establishing our corner of West London as a global leader in science and technology.
By fostering collaboration between world-class research institutions, innovative companies, and the NHS, we are not only driving economic growth but also shaping the future of healthcare and deep tech in line with our Upstream London industrial strategy. This is an exciting step forward for Hammersmith & Fulham and the wider UK innovation landscape."
Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
"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
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. 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.
Kier’s expanding private market portfolio in London includes TIDE Bankside, a net zero carbon, mixed-use commercial development in Southwark, and two commercially-led schemes in Tottenham Court Road, The Fitzrovia and the Network Building. Kier has also handed over Marylebone Square, a highly anticipated mixed-use development which was built on the former Moxon Street carpark site and now forms a modern centrepiece in Marylebone.