Project managers, CPC Project Services, have overseen the delivery of the final phase of the University of Oxford’s BioChemistry building, a department at the cutting edge of life sciences in the UK.

The £74m development comprises 13,500 sq. m of science & education space over four above-ground levels and two basement levels.  The complex design is uncompromising in its efficiency to support different scientific disciplines under one roof.

Air changes, vibration tolerances, cleanliness, and safety where all key aspects in the development of the building’s design to ensure that the space delivered on its ability to provide multi-functional labs and workspace.

The BioChemistry building was constructed within two years and will accommodate 550 academics, researchers, and scientists. It brings together a multitude of scientific fields including physics, neuroscience, chemistry, biology, psychiatry, physiology, anatomy, and genetics and is the first interdisciplinary research facility with the University’s Science Area campus.

Jon Odell, CPC Partner said “Our team has a unique blend of skills and experience in the delivery of life sciences buildings.  We quickly understood the complex requirements that this development needed for the scientific community it will serve at Oxford. 

Whilst the pandemic brought its own challenges during the final phases and handover, our robust methodology, programming and benchmarking ensured that the BioChemistry building was delivered on time and under budget”.  

Richard Jones, Head of Capital Projects, University of Oxford said: “The completion of the BioChemistry building marks the end of a 10-year capital programme for the department.  CPC’s understanding from the outset of what’s important to the laboratory personnel, has meant that we have been able to deliver this second phase of the programme very efficiently.  We delighted to be able to hand the building over to our researchers to begin the next phase of innovation for life sciences”.