London's increasing Life Science Sector.

14 December 2022

Could it benefit Guildford?

Two developments are in planning that will create two large Life Science Hubs in London. One close to Waterloos Station the other in Canary Wharf. 

It poses the question does Guildford with the University,  Research Park, Proposed Medical School, Vet School, Pirbright School have a opportunity to link to this growth of activity in London; and benefit from it?

Area south of Waterloo Station to be a life sciences and medical technology hub

Founded by King’s Health Partners, Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation, and Lambeth and Southwark councils, SC1 is a life science district, in development near Waterloo Station.  The Architect is AHMM.  SC1 It aims to transform healthcare, accelerate innovation, and tackle big problems in order to make a healthier future a reality for all of us. 

Plans underway will create new spaces for health and life sciences, increase employment opportunities, support new innovative business, develop cultural programmes, and build a world recognised home for life sciences innovation. 

New facilities, covering an area the size of 27 football pitches, will be built as part of the plans. 130 homes will be bulldozed to make way for the development, but these will be replaced as part of the project, which will also include restaurants and a new gym. Buildings in the planned development will range in height from 12 to 16 storeys.

The scheme has provoked oposition from local residents and some feel that like the approved redevelopment of the nearby former ITV Studios, it could become the subject of a call-in by the Government. 

Europe’s largest and most technologically advanced life sciences building

A joint venture between Canary Wharf Group and Kadans Science Partner plans to establish a unique 23-storey vertical campus at the heart of a new world class life sciences ecosystem

A detailed planning application has been submitted, for a 23- storey 823,000 sq ft tower providing a state-of-the-art commercial health and life sciences building at Canary Wharf, London.

The building will set a new benchmark in the development of life sciences laboratories and workspace, creating a first of its kind vertical campus, which will be Europe’s largest and most technologically advanced life sciences facility.

Located at Canary Wharf’s North Quay the building is the first phase of the creation of a world-leading centre for health and life sciences.  The location is adjacent to the new Elizabeth Line, and has the capacity, for the whole scheme, to deliver 3.5 million sq ft of laboratory and affiliated space.

The building has been designed to allow up to 60% of laboratories, with the ability to provide chemistry and high containment facilities. The building’s infrastructure employs an innovative stacking programme allowing for a distributed mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering (MEP) strategy, across the stacks. This enables the building to provide laboratory space on every floor. The building signals a new model in life sciences development and a step change in the way ecosystems for knowledge-intensive businesses are designed and developed.

The building also provides community spaces on the ground and first floors with a café and break out areas for conferences and meet ups in order to enhance collaboration within the buildings life science community.

Contrasting with a typical low-rise campus laboratory, KPF  the scheme architects has adopted an inside-out approach to design, combining best-in-class specification, striking architecture, and unique tenant amenities to create an unparalleled destination for life sciences.

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