Cardiff Edge Science Park Cardiff, UK
The Cardiff Edge project showcases our approach to sustainability.
It’s located 5 miles north of Cardiff city centre, nestled within a nature reserve on the River Taff. The project reflects South Wales’ ambition to create an exemplary life sciences ecosystem connecting business, academia, offices and the public sector at a single location. We were commissioned to develop a wider masterplan for the 11-hectare site, including designing a beautifully landscaped life sciences R&D site with serviced labs, offices and associated amenities.
Our analysis found that the current park lacked a heart – an informal focal point for the collaborative working and idea sharing essential to a vibrant life sciences community. We therefore recommended the creation of a hub area, selecting a location that would be most suitable given the park’s current context and opportunities for future expansion.
Our proposal features a new, 2-storey lab and office building and a new, 2-storey multi-use hub building with a café, gym, workspace and parking.
We designed both to be resilient and future-ready. There’s a firm emphasis on landscaping to make the most of the verdant location. The resource-efficient, climate-responsive design provides sustainable water and waste management solutions and minimises emissions to support the transition to zero carbon. Each building also incorporates exemplary fabric measures to reduce overall demand in accordance with LETI standards for offices.
In addition, it’s an adaptable design that can respond to future social, economic, accessibility technological and environmental requirements. For example, the scheme is flexible to allow office and lab use on both levels, if required. Multiple external escape stairs allow for floorplate subdivisions for multiple occupancies. And if chemical laboratories are needed in future, there’s provision for the required additional risers and plant.
Resilient & Future Ready
- Each building will incorporate exemplary fabric measures to reduce overall demand in accordance with LETI standards for office.
- Achieve a resource efficient and climate responsive design that provides sustainable water and waste management solutions and minimise emissions from transport, homes and industry.
- Fostering inclusive design, ensuring buildings, streets and spaces are accessible to all users and is adaptable to future changes in lifestyle.
- Achieving an adaptable design that can respond to future social, economic, technological and environmental requirements.
Every project starts with a conversation.
Let’s discuss your opportunities, constraints and questions.
