Life Science Building, University of Kent

A design that thoughtfully blends science, nature and innovation.

A £20m Life Science Building that will enable the University of Kent to develop its vision for state of the art research and teaching facilities.

Won through competition, we proposed a high-quality yet cost-effective building which fully responded to the brief. It’s also, importantly, a beautiful design.

The new building will operate as a catalyst for collaborative and highly innovative working.

Our design connects the existing science block with the new Life Science Building. A feature staircase, inspired by DNA, spirals through a full-height atrium which is flooded with natural light. This is the nucleus of the building and its qualities speak of the facility’s identity; open, visible and collaborative. It also acts as a new focal point and destination for the campus.

The layout stacks labs and academic areas in a structure that is visible and easy to navigate. We also proposed a ‘shared-asset’ culture, which maximises the use of spaces and equipment. This prompts an open and cost-effective way of working across departments.