Spires II
The brief was to replace two 1990’s retail houses with a brand new-build 160,000 sq ft office and laboratory building on a three acre site in Oxford. It was important to create a striking gateway building for a new science cluster, which would act as a catalyst for further redevelopment and improvements to the local area. A flexible, multi-occupancy space that fosters collaboration and chance encounters between tenants and sets the scene for world-class research.
Our concept looks at the reuse of redundant edge of town retail locations; taking advantage of an existing and generous service yard and car parking spaces, we have maximised the potential for life science accommodation. The project wraps flexible, serviced laboratory spaces around a central atrium light-well with write-up space and offices looking into the principal collaborative areas. At the heart of the project is a community of science specialists who work together in this dynamic collaborative environment. Supported with a café / restaurant at ground level, alongside gym, changing, showers and meeting spaces, the building forms a buzzing co-working environment.
The external fabric uses orientation and vertical solar fins to shade the glazing, proving generous natural light without solar gain, and the use of extensive biofillia promotes wellbeing whilst filtering the air from this busy and highly trafficked location. The building is designed to BREEAM Excellent, and features the integration of bottle storage etc.
You're looking for exceptional architecture. We're looking for exceptional projects. Let's start a conversation
Enquire
