B46 Optics Laboratory

Name: One Darnley Road
Price range: $

Southampton, UK

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project overview

Supporting engineering courses with advanced laboratories

To give students a flexible and future-ready place to learn, we led a large-scale reconfiguration and remodelling scheme at Building 46, which sits on the University of Southampton’s Highfield Campus.

We transformed existing rooms into advanced optics laboratories. These high-performance spaces support optical and photonics research, combining technical precision with safe, adaptable environments for study and discovery.

Working under our framework appointment with the university, we provided project management, contract administration, design and Principal Designer for CDM (PD CDM) services.

AHR University Optics Laboratory Building Consultancy Southampton 1

Image credit: Concept Building Services

RECONFIGURATIONS

Remodelling existing spaces to create enhanced new facilities

The scheme involved the remodelling of several rooms in the main building, including an ancillary support space and clean room.

To accommodate the new high-tech facility, works included the complete internal refurbishment of the existing vacant laboratory room comprising a full strip out and redecoration of existing finished surfaces, replacement of floor coverings and the installation of new mechanical and electrical services.

The installation of complex mechanical and electrical systems was focused on specialist gas lines, essential for high-precision optical experiments.

Upgraded lighting, ventilation and power supplies were tailored to the unique demands of the laboratory operations.

To support the sensitive research equipment, high-specification HVAC systems, modern LED lighting and multiple dedicated electrical circuits and outlets were provided.

As part of the scheme, ‘Clean Room 2113’ was upgraded, complete with a controlled environment, while other areas received full internal reconfiguration, including new partitions, finishes and lab-grade infrastructure.

AHR University Optics Laboratory Building Consultancy Southampton 134209

Image credit: Concept Building Services

AHR University Optics Laboratory Building Consultancy Southampton 140633

Image credit: Concept Building Services

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Image credit: Concept Building Services

AHR University Optics Laboratory Building Consultancy Southampton 140653

Image credit: Concept Building Services

PROJECT DELIVERY

Strategically undertaking works in an occupied university

It was crucial that the university could remain in full operational use throughout the works on site and that the neighbouring residential properties were undisturbed.

As all the buildings on the university campus were in full use, to enable us to minimise any disruption, we scheduled the contract period to commence within the summer holidays and then carefully phased the remaining works to minimise disruption.

In our role as PD CDM, we managed the health and safety of the construction site throughout, undertaking regular site inspections to ensure the safety of all those on site.

Team