University of Exeter | Biosciences Department

The University of Exeter’s Biosciences Department project comprised the refurbishment of the iconic and listed Geoffrey Pope Building to enhance the research and teaching facilities and support the University’s ambitions to be a leading international center for research and teaching in biosciences.

The completed refurbishment provides a fully operational BSL3 research suite, three high-quality research facilities to BSL2 standard, four specialist laboratories to cater to all chemical, biochemical and analytical needs, a state-of-the-art aquarium, a comprehensive teaching lab, improved support facilities for the teaching lab, flexible school seminar space, an integrated student support office, 130 new desk spaces for postgraduates, 25 new staff offices, improved access to the building and a fully refurbished foyer with networked PCs and Wi-Fi.

The aquatics laboratories/aquarium had to be carefully coordinated to integrate with the restricted structure, providing a very close level of control to maintain the breading requirements of the specimens.

Elementa Consulting provided full mechanical, electrical, and public health design for the project. Key challenges included the delivery of adjacent laboratories with a high-temperature differential and placing a new plant within a new underground bunker extension adjacent to the building.

During construction, we provided a full clerk of works and commissioning review service to get this complex project to completion. The team provided a soft landings service to integrate the University’s team into the use and maintenance of this complex facility at the close of the construction/commissioning periods.

Image credit: The University of Exeter