What are life science innovation spaces?

Life science innovation spaces are buildings or campuses designed to support research, development and collaboration across healthcare, science and technology. They typically bring together academics, clinicians, research-led start-ups and industry partners in flexible, well-connected environments.

Why are universities investing more in innovation hubs?

Universities are increasingly positioning innovation as a core part of their offer, alongside teaching and research. Innovation hubs help retain research ideas and new businesses on campus, strengthen industry partnerships and increase research impact and regional economic growth.

Why is retrofit important for life science buildings?

Many universities and NHS trusts are reassessing their estates post-COVID. Retrofitting existing and heritage buildings can reduce carbon impact, make better use of existing assets and create high quality life science and innovation spaces without the cost and carbon of new-build development.

How does AHR support life science and innovation projects?

We work with universities, developers and public-sector partners to design people-first, sustainable and adaptable environments. Our approach focuses on collaboration, long-term flexibility and creating places that support innovation, wellbeing and positive impact.

Podcast

How do we create life science environments that genuinely support innovation, collaboration and societal impact?

30 Minutes

Hosted by Robert Hopkins

In our latest podcast episode, we explore the rapid rise of life science and health innovation spaces and what this shift means for universities, NHS trusts, developers and civic partners shaping the knowledge economy.

Hosted by Robert Hopkins, director at AHR and head of sustainability, the episode brings together Deb Hetherington, director of innovation ecosystems at Scarborough Group International, Gareth Scargill, director of Nexus at the University of Leeds and Gurminder Sanghera, director at AHR.

Together, they discuss the rise of life science spaces and the growing recognition that successful innovation is driven by ecosystems, not just buildings. While high quality, technically robust environments are essential, real impact comes from connecting people – academics, clinicians, entrepreneurs, investors and industry – through purposeful partnerships.

The conversation highlights how universities are increasingly positioning innovation as a core part of their offer, alongside teaching and research. Mixed use environments that combine laboratory, office and shared collaboration space are helping retain intellectual property, support spin-outs and strengthen engagement with industry.

A key theme is the importance of the triple helix model, aligning academia, the public sector and private enterprise. In cities such as Leeds, this collaborative approach is supporting additional economic growth and attracting national and international attention.

From a design perspective, the episode explores the need for flexible, adaptable and sustainable life science spaces. Modular labs, agile services and hybrid office-lab environments allow research to evolve quickly, while retrofit and reuse of existing and heritage buildings present unique opportunities.

Listen below to hear how people-first design, collaboration and adaptability are shaping the next generation of life science and health innovation environments.

Download the episode transcript here.

You can subscribe to our podcast series featuring a wide variety of topics, available on your preferred podcast platform.

Frequently asked questions

: Life science innovation spaces are buildings or campuses designed to support research, development and collaboration across healthcare, science and technology. They typically bring together academics, clinicians, research-led start-ups and industry partners in flexible, well-connected environments.
: Universities are increasingly positioning innovation as a core part of their offer, alongside teaching and research. Innovation hubs help retain research ideas and new businesses on campus, strengthen industry partnerships and increase research impact and regional economic growth.
: Many universities and NHS trusts are reassessing their estates post-COVID. Retrofitting existing and heritage buildings can reduce carbon impact, make better use of existing assets and create high quality life science and innovation spaces without the cost and carbon of new-build development.
: We work with universities, developers and public-sector partners to design people-first, sustainable and adaptable environments. Our approach focuses on collaboration, long-term flexibility and creating places that support innovation, wellbeing and positive impact.