Life sciences is a rapidly evolving sector that produces products and technology to improve our health and wellbeing, from vaccines and medical devices to equipment that can prolong life.
It is a huge growth area: UK companies in the sector generated £108.1 billion in turnover in 2021/22, a 13% increase on the previous year, according to government figures. These companies had almost 8,000 sites and employed more than 300,000 people.
This pioneering industry needs bespoke and highly-specific premises to house research, development and manufacturing capabilities that must often conform to strict regulations.
What is life science construction?
The construction sector is at the forefront of the designing and building specialist, high-tech facilities that life science companies and academic institutions require.
These flourishing bioscience, health, and medical tech firms need flexible workspaces as they focus on the discovery, research, development and manufacturing of healthcare products and devices, such as implants and new therapies.
Construction services are in demand to create clean rooms, manufacturing spaces, warehouses, storage and research, and development laboratory facilities that are being developed in strategic locations across the UK. As such, the industry is a significant draw for inward investment opportunities.
What does life science construction cover?
Construction consultants work closely with life science businesses to understand their building requirements, such as the need for specialist materials and processes and different specification standards.
Thorough project monitoring is essential throughout, including lifecycle costings and funding strategies at the feasibility stage as part of the due diligence process. Risk management and investment protection are vital from the start, with important factors such as contract administration, budget control and financial analysis and technical solution advice all playing a part.
Mechanical and electrical (M&E) consultants can advise on the design and build of high-spec laboratories with clean environments, as well as the office space and storage requirements of a life science business.
How to choose a life science building consultancy
Choosing a team of project managers and quantity and building surveyors to act as the employer’s agent or lead consultant for a full project overview will help to steer a new build or conversion to a successful outcome.
They will understand the fit-out process for cutting-edge bioscience and health technology facilities, giving strategic advice to ensure efficiencies of scale when working on several buildings at a time. They can take a holistic view of capital and operational expenditure, including future maintenance costs.
Efficient and cost-effective sustainability and low energy measures, such as solar power, ground or air source heat pumps, whether as the main or supplementary supply, can also be factored in. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) considerations are also paramount for certain critical processes, and the technology to automate switchover should mains supplies fail is key, as are the wider considerations of space and consents to site the necessary plant.
Why are life science facilities on the rise?
Rapid advances in medical technology and new scientific breakthroughs are fuelling the increase in the life science sector as it undergoes a significant transformation.
Other factors include our ageing global population with increased healthcare needs – according to the United Nations’ World Population Prospects 2022 report, the population above the age of 65 years is growing more rapidly than the population below that age.
How Naismiths can support the life sciences industry
Our strong track record of providing high-level project monitoring, project management and quantity surveying services gives valuable peace of mind to clients investing in this vital sector, allied to our mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering (MEP) design services to provide an holistic approach to new projects. We closely monitor every aspect of a development’s lifecycle, whether that’s constructing a new facility or an existing office or industrial building conversion or refurbishment.
Naismiths is adept at assessing potential issues and advising on strategic solutions through a technology-driven approach to enhance efficiencies and ensure projects are cost-effective and completed to agreed deadlines. Our expert assessments protect funders, developers and investors.
Our talented team is ideally placed to support this innovative and economically important sector from its eight UK offices.
Contact us today to discuss your business needs.