Plans have been submitted for a new 12,926 sq ft science building at the Wood Centre for Innovation in Oxford.
The Oxford Trust has submitted plans to Oxford City Council for its new Aspen Building to be built at the centre in Headington to provide additional laboratory and office grow-on space for science and tech start-ups.
Named after the trust’s late founder Sir Martin Wood’s favourite tree, the building will have two floors to provide flexible, containment level 2 (mid-level risk), laboratory and office space. The building will also include a new STEM resources and preparation room that will support its outreach delivery to schools.
The building will target BREEAM Excellent and include photovoltaic roof panels, a green wall, cycle parking, shower and locker facilities and a minimum 10 per cent biodiversity net gain.
Steve Burgess, chief executive of the trust, said: “All our Wood Centre for Innovation companies are pushing the boundaries of research and development with breakthroughs in biotech and deep tech, driving positive change.
“This multi-million pound investment funded by the trust underlines our commitment to the Headington Science Cluster. The Aspen Building will mean we can continue expanding our support of science and tech start-ups by providing high-quality R&D lab and office space for grow-on companies to further scientific research and discovery, create local jobs, and contribute to Oxfordshire’s impressive wider innovation ecosystem.”
Glen Moses, architect and project director for Aspen Building designer ADP Architecture, said: “Our brief was to design a new carbon-efficient building with flexible laboratory and workspace to both enhance the Wood Centre for Innovation site and sit beautifully within its surroundings.
“We have worked hard with the consultancy team and carried out public consultation with the Trust to ensure that the Aspen Building is low impact while helping to boost life-enhancing discovery.”
The project team also includes Carter Jonas, BSG Ecology, Landshape, Glanville, Gleeds, Sylva Trees and CPW.
The application can be found at https://public.oxford.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage
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