We were commissioned by Kadans Science Partner, to convert a rather tired 1980s metal shed, previously used as a warehouse and storage facility into vibrant offices and laboratories for start-up, scale-up and mature companies in the Stevenage life science sector.
The proposals were to create office and laboratory spaces within the existing shell of the building. It has been important to work, where possible, with the grain of the building and ensure minimum disturbance to the existing structure and fabric.
At two key junctions breakout spaces are created to foster collaboration between businesses and form important orientation nodes along the route through the building. These spaces have ‘winter gardens’ that bring life and light into an otherwise internalised space.
The offices and labs are designed as separate elements to the main building and read architecturally as elements that are inserted into the existing fabric. The new structure is concrete on the ground floor and is exposed to contrast with the existing steel structure. This existing structure is painted a bright orange to differentiate it from the new.
