Project Stats
Project Story
Project Brief
Willmott Dixon Interiors has delivered a new biomedical research & development facility in central Oxford.
The refurbishment involved the redevelopment of two former retail warehouse units into world-class laboratory and creative office space.
Project Solution
The existing structure has been extended, adding a new internal floor and a colonnade to the north elevation. The additional floorspace enables the creation of a new reception area and a combination of sustainable new spaces for market-leading life science companies. They include enhanced common areas and meeting rooms, new collaboration and circulation spaces, breakout areas and café provision, as well as a new cycle centre and shower facilities.
The building fabric has been substantially upgraded, including a new façade, while new mechanical and electrical services have also been installed.
Externally, a cycle and pedestrian route and a newly landscaped car park have been created to provide a revitalised visitor experience, with landscaping at the rear of the building doubling as an area for flood mitigation.
Project Outcome
The completed project delivered the following outcomes:
- Transformation of retail properties into biomedical research hub
- Refurbishment provides a world-class space for biomedical research, advancing the UK in the sector
- Improvement to the facilities available in Oxford, leading to talented individuals in the biomedical industry opting to stay in the area
Project Information
- Almost 1000 trees planted to form a hedgerow for horses living in a shelter
- Food bank donations to the Oxford Emergency Foodbank
- Supporting students in finding a career for them
- In line with our Now or Never Strategy, our team worked together with members of our supply chain and the International Tree Foundation to plant trees at the Blue Cross. Overall, the team planted almost 1000 trees, which have formed a hedgerow for the horses that live at the shelter.
- We have collected items and donated food to the Oxford Community Emergency Foodbank throughout the Christmas period. This was an initiative in collaboration with our Willmott Dixon construction office in the South. We came together with our Supply Chain Partners to collect food and helped by delivering the items to those in need.
- We attended a Career’s Fair at King Alfred’s school in Wantage. Speaking to over 1000 students in years 9-13 students, we promoted the benefits of having a career in construction, our industry-leading management trainee programme for people looking to enter construction and the variety of roles available. Attendants were inspired by the topic of construction, with great student engagement and a keen interest in design & architecture.