Our Building Consultancy team’s approach to science and technology 

Supporting the emerging and growing sector of Life Science, Carter Jonas is well placed to advise businesses on delivering projects in this specialist building market. Our expansive experience across a range of new build and conversion projects has enabled us to become authoritative throughout the design, procurement, and construction stages of this asset class.

The key to delivering successful projects is the ability to identify the potential risks and opportunities at an early stage, and none more so within these heavily serviced buildings. We are experienced in managing the co-ordination of specialist laboratory services, including: 

  • science gases and critical supplies, 
  • high volumes of ventilation, 
  • the technical requirements associated with the moving and storage of liquid nitrogen and other similar vessels,
  • clean, hygienic specialist finishes 

     

We always work with our clients to develop solutions that fit their bespoke requirements with an eye on flexibility and possible late changes.

What are the key challenges?

The integration of specialist laboratory services, including gases and water, into both existing and new buildings need to be considered early and at length. The critical nature of these services to operate key equipment requires simple maintenance access, with reliable connections and valves to ensure consistent operation or quick replacement in the event of a failure. Ventilation systems are generally larger than in other types of commercial buildings and greater volumes of air lead to increased duct sizes and plant overall. This can require dedicated routing and place additional structural loads on existing buildings in areas not previously expected, often requiring structural alteration. 

Co-ordination of all these systems is key to future maintenance and the ease of alteration which is inevitably required across the life of the building.

Power, gas and water supplies require resilience to reduce the risk of failure, which generally means the provision of alternative supplies, standby generators, tanks, and pumps. This all takes up additional space which can be problematic with works in existing buildings if build with life science use in mind, potentially creating additional cost and time.

Identifying these issues early helps prevent problems arising later in the design period, which if left unchecked may lead to congested space, insufficient maintenance access, or restrictive planning constraints.

At Carter Jonas, we provide advice pre-building purchase to help ensure that these matters are considered in the offer price.

Specialist laboratory consumables – whether they be laboratory coats, gloves, bottled gases or filters used in scrubbers and fume cabinets all need detailed consideration. Consideration of access to deliver new products, move them around the building, store them ready for use or distribution of them when used or contaminated ready for collection and safe disposal. Direct access externally to safe entry points with sufficient external storage areas are key. This allows for out of hours collection by specialist companies and for items which may be delicate to be protected during inclement weather and distributed throughout the building easily. Items such as liquid nitrogen have specialist storage requirements and particular delivery needs. External tanks for gas items require easy access for top up, with additional thought on protecting leakage into drainage systems and from fire risk. 

These areas all often need to be secure involving additional fencing and cctv services – items which can impact upon access, parking, planning permission and vehicle routes.

Specialist equipment within laboratories is often on a long lead time and is generally particular about storage, delivery and services connectivity. Buildings need to be planned out to consider routes through for the movement of new equipment, both when a new facility and for replacement in the future as the science changes. Constraints of corridors, low ceilings and structural beams can soon render a building unsuitable in the short-term future. Long lead-in times can often have an impact on the construction phasing for works should equipment be ‘built-in’ to any of the building’s fabric.

Our science tech specialists are adept at the project management, design and cost consultative processes required to assist clients meet their aspirations and lead the science fields in this competitive and cutting-edge industry.

We recognise that a full range of professional services are required to help maintain existing building stock, and deliver new associated with the life science sector. We can help with both turnkey laboratory solutions or construction design-build, and are pleased to be able to support you within the following disciplines:

  • Cost management
  • Project management
  • Strategic procurement
  • Programme management
  • Pre-acquisition surveys
  • Measured building surveys 
  • Capital allowance advice
  • Architectural design services
  • Feasibility studies
  • Party wall matters
  • Schedules of condition
  • Contract administrator / employer's agent
  • Landlord/tenant representative (licences to alter)
  • Building pathology/defects diagnosis
  • Planned preventative maintenance/condition surveys
  • Dilapidations
  • Insurance reinstatement cost assessments

     

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Get in touch
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Simon Turl
Partner, Building Consultancy
01865 404489 Email me About Simon
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Simon joined Sutton Griffin, now Carter Jonas, in 1999 and in 2010 was promoted to Director, specialising in commercial, retail and residential work with special responsibility for the technical design and contractual delivery of projects. His experience in large-scale projects enables him to guide Carter Jonas schemes through calm waters. Simon also ensures that the firm harnesses the latest technologies to create graphics and presentation materials that are second-to-none. Simon's interests are predominantly dictated by his family of three young sons and their own sporting activities but if he does get a break from taxi driving, he enjoys attempting to play golf and sailing.

Science & technology property offering

With over 25 years’ experience, Carter Jonas is one of the leading property consultancies in the science and technology sector.

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