Project overview

1000 Discovery Drive is a versatile five-storey multi-occupancy structure, offering approximately 105,000 sq ft of office and B1(b) laboratory space within the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, designed by Scott Brownrigg.

Project value
£50,000,000
Project value
BREEAM rating
‘Excellent
BREEAM rating
Of office and wet or dry laboratory space
105,000 sqft
Of office and wet or dry laboratory space
Employees benefited
28,000
Employees benefited
(British land, Hawkins Brown)
2 project partners
(British land, Hawkins Brown)
5 national construction awards
5 Awards
5 national construction awards

The building was the second structure to be developed on the campus and sits adjacent to the Abcam Headquarters on Dame Mary Archer Way.

As the Cambridge Biomedical Campus is the largest centre of life sciences and medical research in Europe and home to academia, industry, research and health, tenants for the new building are combinations of businesses involved in life sciences R&D. The building therefore provides flexible wet or dry laboratories, alongside office space with 50:50 ratio for varying occupier requirements, which can be let to a single tenant per floor or multiple tenants in units of a minimum size of 5,000 sq ft. The simple building form complements the complex services strategy, and the façade was designed to respond to the changing requirements of a multi-occupied building.

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Ross McWatt – Associate, Scott Brownrigg

“I can speak from a personal perspective having worked with SDC for almost 8 years across 6 projects that it is an absolute pleasure to be informed when SDC are to be appointed on any projects that we work on because we know that SDC will always provide an impeccable design management service to the Client and a willingness to work closely with the design team whilst delivering the best quality and always on time.

SDC also learn from their experiences and from the consultants that they work with but are not afraid to try something new. This has shown clearly in Cambridge Science park and then across management teams onto Cambridge Bio Medical Campus, where expectations on both sides are already established leading to a very positive working relationship and some beautiful buildings.”

The main feature of the design is a spectacular entrance structure: an abstract tree supports the second-floor slab, providing a welcoming focal point for the building.

The compelling design feature embodies the blend of science, discovery, and architecture which is at the heart of Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The new building also incorporates internal and external communal space, including break-out collaborative areas and a café with external plaza.

Sustainability and biodiversity were paramount to the project: the whole life carbon footprint of 1000 Discovery Drive was meticulously measured and subsequently reduced, achieving a total reduction of 6% against the notional baseline.

Project team

Francis Shiner

Francis Shiner

Chairman

Since joining the company in 1983, Francis has assumed various roles, from Chief Surveyor to managing Director, ultimately assuming the position of Chairman in 2021.

Carl Bennett

Carl Bennett

Director

After joining SDC in 2004, Carl was employed as a Site Manager, Design Coordinator, and Contracts Manager. The experience he gained in all three professions led him to be promoted to the role of Board Director in 2020. His duties and responsibilities include setting the overall strategy for the project, as well as leading the project team and ensuring the scheme is delivered within the client’s time, quality and budget constraints. It is Carl’s previous experience in the construction of large office developments (such as those on the Cambridge Science Park), that makes him the ideal choice when selecting a Director to oversee this scheme.

Andrew Shiner

Andrew Shiner

Director

Andy joined SDC as a Site Agent and rose through the ranks to Project Director, before taking on his current role as Board Director in 2020. The experience he gained in all three professions will undoubtedly assist him in leading this scheme. On a previous project for NIAB in Cambridge, Andy’s team were responsible for SDC’s highest Considerate Constructors’ score to date (90 out of 100) and a Runner’s Up Prize at the CCS National Awards in 2019.

Dan Changer

Dan Changer

Director

Dan studied Architecture at the University of Cambridge and worked as a chartered Architect before joining SDC in 2010. Joining as a Design Coordinator, Dan then opted to work as a Contracts Manager, receiving a promotion to Project Manager before his appointment to the Board of Directors in 2020. His duties and responsibilities include setting the overall strategy for the project, as well as leading the project team and ensuring the scheme is delivered within the client’s time, quality and budget constraints. Dan’s client-focused attitude and collaborative problem-solving approach will be crucial to the scheme’s successful delivery.

Andrew Mitchell

Andrew Mitchell

Director

Andrew is a senior member of staff who holds the role of Director/Company Secretary. He joined SDC in 1994, and had therefore been with the company for almost thirty years. He plays a key role in ensuring that board procedures are both followed and regularly reviewed. The Chairman and Board Directors will look to the Company Secretary for guidance as to what their responsibilities are under the rules and regulations to which they are subject, and on how these responsibilities should be discharged.

Jonathan Richardson

Jonathan Richardson

Director

Jonathan has extensive knowledge and experience of building services design, installations and management thereof. As a qualified Building Services Engineer, Jonathan spent his earlier career working for a major MEP sub-contractor. His diverse range of project experience means he has proven to be a great addition to the SDC team, and this has led to his recent promotion to M&E Director. He oversees a team of electrical and mechanical project managers, estimators, quantity surveyors, commissioning and MEP design managers.