Project Herald
Working with Total Projects Ltd, SRA has delivered an inspiring workplace with offices, collaboration and meeting space, R&D and manufacturing labs for New England Biolab Lyophilization Sciences at their new facility at Milton Park.
In the Lab areas, technical performance and quality was a critical project driver – NEB’s operations are registered to ISO 9001 & ISO13485 – and so the new facility was designed to ensure these quality standards can be met. All finishes in the clean room areas were carefully selected and detailed to be hygienic and washable, with low air and moisture permeability to maintain the strict environmental controls required.
Outside of the lab, reception, office and meeting areas are spacious, with a mix of workstations in an open office area as well as private executive offices. Meeting rooms are complemented by a range of open collaboration space throughout the office, as well as small private booths. A large kitchen offers more space for socialising, breaks and gatherings. Other facilities include a wellness room and generous cycle facilities.
Biophilia can be seen throughout the front of house and office areas. This provides a meaningful reinforcement of NEB’s brand and affinity with the natural world. Oak is a unifying material – in doors, ceilings and furniture. Floor finishes – porcelain, rubber and carpet – emulate natural patterns found in nature. In contrast to the clean-room environment, the colour and material palette is soft, textured and warm, with excellent natural light, acoustics and views out. NEB’s generous art budget, along with the plant work installation, elevates the fit-out, creating an exemplar and inspirational workspace for staff and visitors.
Project Details
Location: Milton Park, Oxfordshire
Project Size: 3,051 sqm GIA
Completed: April 2024
Project Team
Client: New England Biolabs (NEB)
Main Contractor: Total Projects (UK) Ltd
Project Manager: AECOM
Architect: ARC (Stage 1-3) / SRA Architects Ltd (Stage 4-6)
Lab Specialist: Quadra BEC
Lighting Designer: LAM Partners
Loose Furniture: Hunts Office Furniture & Interiors Ltd
Structural Engineer: Hawkins / Forward Structures
MEP Engineer: BR+A / Hoare Lea / Capstone
MEP Contractor: Lawtons / Total Electrical Ltd
Cost Manager: AECOM
Principal Designer: HBE
Approved Inspector: Integral BCS
BREEAM Assessor: Mainer Associates
Photography: Office Curator