The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has officially opened the £100m Discovery Building at Rothera Research Station, marking the on-time and on-budget delivery of the largest construction project ever undertaken by the UK in Antarctica – a once-in-a-generation upgrade to the UK’s Antarctic research and operational capability. The facility was delivered as part of the government-funded £670 million Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP) in partnership with BAM, Ramboll, Sweco, G&A Barnie Group, Turner and Townsend and Hugh Broughton Architects. The building, with an internal floor area of 4,500 square metres, features over 100 rooms and spaces spread over two floors and will serve as the operational “beating heart” of the UK’s main Antarctic research station, providing all power, drinking water, and communications. The building, alongside its new network of services, has been formally opened by Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of BAS, to mark the completion of the project which began in 2019. The Discovery Building has been delivered following a six-year programme of meticulous design, logistics planning and phased construction in one of the most extreme environments on the planet and where materials must be transported more than 8,000 miles to site. The new facility replaces ageing infrastructure spread across multiple buildings and is designed to provide a safer and more efficient environment for staff, alongside reducing station carbon emissions by 25% through improved energy efficiency. With the Discovery Building now operational, the AIMP team has begun the phased deconstruction of six redundant buildings, with three already completed, one in progress and two more to be undertaken this Antarctic summer season. Deconstruction is a carefully managed process used in place of demolition, deconstructing elements piece-by-piece, to minimise environmental impact and to allow materials and waste to be managed in a controlled and responsible way. Waste is being consolidated into shipping containers by site teams to optimise freight movements, with excavated areas and former foundations backfilled following removal. Where suitable, materials are being reused on site, including the repurposing of cladding panels from Old Bransfield House, one of the station’s original dining and accommodation buildings, to provide temporary weatherproofing to other structures while permanent upgrades are planned. The AIMP programme, the largest UK investment in Antarctic science infrastructure since the 1980s, has already delivered the UK’s polar research ship RRS Sir David Attenborough (launched in 2021), upgraded wharfs at Rothera and King Edward Point research stations, and an upgraded runway at Rothera. The investment demonstrates the UK’s commitment to world-leading polar science and Britain’s long-term presence in Antarctica, where research provides crucial insights into global climate systems and changes in our oceans which affect people worldwide. The ongoing investment in the UK’s polar infrastructure is a significant element of the UK Government’s commitment to Antarctica, as set out in the recently published UK Antarctic Strategy. Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research, Innovation and Nuclear, said: “Antarctic research is essential to understanding how changing climate patterns could affect our planet in the years to come, from food security to flooding risk, so together we can act. The UK has long been a leader in polar science and this government investment in modern, state of the art facilities will enable current and future generations of researchers to tackle shared challenges with our international partners.” Elen Jones, AIMP Director at British Antarctic Survey, said: “The Antarctic Infrastructure Programme is the largest investment in our polar infrastructure for decades and this is a huge milestone in that programme. The Discovery Building represents the scale of collaboration and long-term planning required to deliver major infrastructure in Antarctica, and the co-ordination of multiple experts in such a remote environment has been a significant achievement. We want to thank everyone who’s played a part in developing, designing and delivering this building and are incredibly excited to see it come to life in the year of Rothera’s 50th anniversary, becoming an asset that will support Antarctic operations and scientific research for decades to come.” David Brand, Senior Project Manager at British Antarctic Survey, said: “Delivering this impressive new Discovery Building and our wider programme of modernisation at Rothera has been a significant engineering and logistics achievement in one of the most challenging construction environments in the world. The project required long-term collaboration with our partners, careful planning around the seasonal changes in Antarctica, the complex challenges of delivering staff, equipment and materials to such a remote location, which was essential to maintaining momentum and ensuring we delivered the project on time.” The programme is delivered in partnership with BAM, Ramboll, Sweco, G&A Barnie Group Ltd, Turner and Townsend and Hugh Broughton Architects, with additional support from NORR and OFR. By the end of the 2025 – 2026 season, both the Discovery Building handover and decommissioning of the outdated facilities will be complete, paving the way for a more streamlined, efficient Rothera Research Station that is equipped for the future of polar research. To find out more, visit: https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/aimp/ or be one of the first people to look around the Discovery Building through BAS’ latest YouTube video tour Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Railpen, manager of the £34bn Railways Pension Scheme in the UK, has achieved a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ design-stage score for Botanic Place, its 325,000 sq ft landmark development in the heart of Cambridge. Botanic Place attained an unprecedented 100.54% credits, although the score is capped at 100%. This milestone achievement officially makes Botanic Place the first office building in the UK to achieve 100% at Design stage[1]. Railpen’s ambition for Botanic Place is to create global-standard headquarters offices for companies operating predominantly in the AI, tech, innovation, and pharmaceutical sectors seeking a significant presence in the UK’s Golden Triangle. Currently under construction and due for completion in Q1 2028, Botanic Place comprises two buildings: 1 Botanic Place (175,000 sq ft) and 2 Botanic Place (150,000 sq ft). BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the global gold standard for sustainability in the built environment. While a score of 85% is required to reach the ‘Outstanding’ threshold, Botanic Place has exceeded this by a significant margin. The record-breaking score was made possible through a suite of pioneering environmental features integrated via intelligent design. Each represents market-leading thinking and innovation by Railpen, working closely with its development manager, Socius, and wider team. Many of Botanic Place’s innovations also respond to specific contextual factors, such as the well-documented pressures on water supply in Cambridge. Examples include: Maria Averkina, Senior Asset and Development Manager at Railpen, commented: “Achieving the first 100% BREEAM score for an office development at design stage in the UK is a testament to Railpen’s commitment to understanding not only what occupiers want and need but as importantly, what the surrounding context requires. Botanic Place is a global blueprint for the future of the office, and one that also makes a significant positive contribution environmentally and socially to Cambridge. By using intelligent design to push the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable development, we are providing our future occupiers with a space that prioritises environmental integrity and human wellbeing, supporting productivity and talent retention.  The recognition is also testament to the innovation and shared commitment among our professional team and development manager, Socius.” Dan Asquith, BREEAM Business Development Team Leader at BRE, added: “BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ represents the top 1% of UK non-domestic buildings, but Botanic Place has created a category of its own. By integrating pioneering technologies, from the night purge ventilation mode to the dynamic façade design, this project has pushed the boundaries of our assessment criteria. A score of 100.54% is a testament to a rigorous, holistic approach to sustainability that balances carbon reduction with biodiversity and occupant wellbeing. We are delighted to see such a high level of technical excellence being delivered by Railpen in the heart of Cambridge.” Located adjacent to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden and minutes from Cambridge station, Botanic Place will offer private and common roof terraces of 40,000 sq ft providing outstanding 360 degree views of the city, including Botanic Garden from multiple levels, as well as market-defining public spaces, landscaped gardens, internal amenties, events spaces, and food and beverage areas. These will be complemented by 1,300 cycling spaces and exceptional end-of-journey facilities. Railpen has assembled a world-class team to deliver Botanic Place, including development manager Socius, architect Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), contractor Skanska, and construction consultants, Real PM, with sustainability and MEP consultancy provided by Hoare Lea. Railpen’s office leasing agents for Botanic Place are JLL, Knight Frank, and Savills. In addition to Botanic Place, Railpen’s unique Mill Yard campus-style mixed-use development is under construction and due for completion in Q1 2027. It has also achieved BREEAM Outstanding, placing it within the top 0.5% of sustainable buildings globally. Both developments form part of Railpen’s Cambridge Innovation Cluster, which comprises 11 assets totalling 1.9m sq ft of high-quality space, including the recently consented 1m sq ft Beehive innovation hub. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Bartlet Asset Management has submitted plans for a major new clinical life sciences development in Paddington, marking a significant step forward for the emerging health and research cluster next to St Mary’s Hospital. The proposed Paddington Hub scheme comprises a 16-storey, 48,000 sq m purpose-built facility on the former Imperial College Medical School site in Westminster. Designed by HOK, the building is intended to accommodate more than 1,800 clinicians, researchers and support staff within a single integrated environment. The scheme is designed to bring together clinical trials, diagnostics and emerging health technologies, creating a dedicated hub that supports collaboration between healthcare professionals and researchers. HOK said the design approach draws on its experience delivering major research-led buildings, including the Francis Crick Institute at King’s Cross. A key principle behind the project is the delivery of a bench-to-bedside model, enabling patients, clinicians and researchers to work in close proximity. The building’s layout is intended to support innovation and translational research by co-locating clinical activity with laboratory and research space. At ground level, the proposals include education and community-focused uses alongside improved pedestrian connections linking Praed Street, Norfolk Place and the wider hospital estate. These public-facing elements are designed to better integrate the development with its surroundings while enhancing accessibility across the area. Subject to planning approval, construction is expected to commence in 2027. Once delivered, the Paddington Hub is set to become a key piece of health and life sciences infrastructure in west London, reinforcing Paddington’s role as an important centre for medical research, innovation and clinical excellence. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major new £1 billion film and creative industries quarter is being proposed for an industrial estate in Kentish Town, north London, with plans now formally lodged for the Camden Film Quarter. Backed by investment firm Yoo Capital, the scheme centres on a state-of-the-art studio campus featuring visual effects, animation and post-production facilities. Two leading film schools – the National Film and Television School and the London Screen Academy – are set to open new education hubs as part of the development, creating a pipeline of talent alongside world-class production space. If planning consent is granted, around 1,370 construction jobs are expected to be created over the three-year build phase. Alongside the studios, partner social housing developer Places for People has submitted a linked application to deliver 485 new homes adjacent to the campus. The residential element will form a key part of the wider masterplan, helping to establish a mixed-use neighbourhood anchored by the creative industries. Places for People group managing director of developments, Andrew Usher, said the Camden Film Quarter would be a landmark project and the next step in the organisation’s placemaking work. Yoo Capital co-founder Lloyd Lee said the ambition was to create “a neighbourhood where world-class studios, 50% affordable homes and public spaces sit side by side to inspire the next generation”. Architect Broadway Malyan is leading the design of the residential sites, with a brief to deliver an ambitious new quarter that reflects the character of Kentish Town while generating real social value. Turner and Townsend has been appointed by Camden Council as client representative for the regeneration. The firm will define the council’s requirements for replacement facilities on the site and oversee project management, cost control and design assurance as the plans progress through the planning and delivery process. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans for a major new film studio complex in Buckinghamshire have been given the go ahead by the government, clearing the way for a £750 million production campus on the edge of Marlow. The Marlow Film Studios proposal, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, will transform a former quarry and landfill site off the A404 into a state-of-the-art media campus. The project is intended to tap into booming global demand for film and television production space and strengthen the already powerful West London film cluster. The scheme had previously been refused by Buckinghamshire Council, but following a public inquiry earlier this year the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government has now approved the plans. Marlow Studios chief executive Robert Laycock welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant moment for the UK’s creative industries and for the local area. “We are very pleased with the decision by the secretary of state to approve our planning application for Marlow Studios,” he said. “The determination is a real vote of confidence in the UK and in its creative industries. This is a meaningful decision for anyone who believes in the UK’s future, our nation’s creative genius, and our unmatched capability to inspire the world. “For Buckinghamshire, this is a powerful vote of confidence in the coming generations. Regenerating a poorly landfilled site to enable new careers and pass on exceptional skills in this world-beating British industry is the right decision. It is a signal to investors who aim for high quality development, done in the right way, through outstanding design that brings sustainable opportunities and benefits to their community. “The decision is clear in its assessment that Marlow Studios will attract global investment, help the UK maintain its competitive creative edge, and will strengthen the West London film cluster. We know that Marlow Studios will be a media campus like no other – offering the world’s creative businesses a bespoke facility, leading in emerging technology and design that drives creativity and storytelling. “The global creative sector is growing fast, with a pace of change that is driving new investment. New platforms, new technology, including AI, and new ways of telling stories require a different approach. Marlow Studios will be the campus that drives creative collaboration for the coming era.” With planning consent now secured, attention will turn to detailed design, enabling works and securing occupiers, as the backers of Marlow Studios look to position the site as a flagship destination for international film and television production. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Morgan Sindall has started work on a flagship 217,000 sq ft science and innovation building at the heart of Manchester’s Knowledge Quarter. The £100m Plus Ultra Manchester scheme, led by Kadans Science Partner, sits within the Oxford Road Corridor and will act as the focal point of the wider £450m Upper Brook Street masterplan. That masterplan will deliver around 490,000 sq ft of mixed-use space, including laboratories, student accommodation and community facilities. Sustainability is a key feature of the project. The building will be fully electric and is targeting BREEAM Excellent, EPC A and WiredScore Gold ratings. Plans include extensive rooftop solar panels, advanced building management systems and high-performance façades to minimise energy use. Morgan Sindall’s North West area director, Steven Gregory, said the scheme represents a major step forward in Manchester’s development as a leading centre for life sciences and innovation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Prologis UK and main contractor, SDC have marked a key construction milestone at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus today, with a Topping Out ceremony at 2000 Discovery Drive – the latest addition to Prologis’ growing life sciences presence on the campus. The ceremony was attended by representatives from Prologis UK, SDC and the wider project team and marked the placement of the final steel beam, which will be signed and commemorated with a memorial plaque. 2000 Discovery Drive follows the successful completion of 1000 Discovery Drive in 2024 – a project that has already attracted leading life sciences organisations to the campus. Most recently, the Cambridge University Hospital Trust’s relocated its Histopathology service to a newly commissioned lab, enhancing its diagnostic capability. Together, the two buildings form a vital part of Prologis UK’s long-term commitment to delivering modern, flexible space for the nation’s science and innovation sectors. The ceremony also reflects Prologis’ landmark £3 billion investment intentions at Cambridge Biomedical Campus which was announced in September. Andrew Blevins, Head of Life Sciences, Prologis UK: “Reaching this milestone at 2000 Discovery Drive is a testament to the exceptional quality of work delivered by SDC and our wider project team. With Discovery Drive now home to leading life sciences organisations, including the NHS, BioNTech and Abcam, our latest development builds on that momentum. With lab-enabled space completing in late 2026, it presents a rare opportunity for businesses looking to grow within the UK’s most dynamic life sciences research ecosystem.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The Oxford Science Park (TOSP), one of the UK’s leading locations for science and technology companies, has announced the acquisition of Northbrook House, a prominent three-storey building, comprising 23,500 sq ft, on the eastern side of the Park. Following refurbishment, Northbrook House will deliver flexible, high-quality laboratory and write-up accommodation designed to meet the needs of pioneering science and technology start-ups and growth businesses, with suites ranging from 3,600 to 23,500 sq ft. Originally designed by Ritchie Studio – formerly Ian Ritchie Architects – Northbrook House embodies the practice’s innovative and highly regarded architectural approach. The design provides a strong foundation for the building’s transformation, with the planned refurbishment enhancing and modernising the space, alongside an infrastructure upgrade that supports today’s science and technology companies. Situated close to the Park’s vibrant Magdalen Centre, Northbrook House benefits from immediate access to amenities including a café, conference suite, fitness classes, and a broad programme of networking and social events. The building also enjoys a picturesque setting overlooking Littlemore Brook, surrounded by mature landscaping, and offers allocated on-site parking and bike storage. A regular bus service is within a minute’s walk of the building, and the planned Cowley Branch Line station will offer even more connectivity with a fast rail link to the city centre and direct services to London every half hour. The station will feature a platform providing immediate access to The Oxford Science Park, making travel to and from the Park quick and convenient. Yong Shen, Director of The Oxford Science Park, said: “The acquisition and transformation of Northbrook House further strengthens our commitment to providing the best possible space for the UK’s most innovative science and technology companies. Northbrook’s flexible design and proximity to Park amenities make it an ideal location for organisations seeking both technical excellence and community connection.” The addition of Northbrook House forms part of TOSP’s ongoing development strategy to expand capacity and deliver exceptional laboratory environments for innovative early-stage companies in Oxford. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals