Daresbury Laboratory, Cheshire
Following a competitive tender process, Fathom Architects and David Lock Associates (DLA) were commissioned by the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to create a Development Plan for Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire.
The appointment was Fathom and DLA’s second for STFC, following the successful delivery of a Development Plan for Rutherford Appleton Laboratory at Harwell in 2022 – Sci-Tech Daresbury and Harwell being the UK’s two national laboratory facilities for world-leading scientific research.
Daresbury Laboratory is central to the expansion of Sci-Tech Daresbury campus – a joint venture between STFC and private developers – for its pioneering research into accelerator science, scientific computing, engineering technology and nuclear physics.
The Development Plan, delivered in late 2022, supports ambitions to continue world-leading scientific research on the site and encourage the incubation of innovative new businesses. Our collaborative approach assesses scenarios for growth and shifting requirements in new and existing laboratory buildings, as well as exploring placemaking opportunities and sustainability improvements to support UK Research & Innovation’s commitment to becoming net zero by 2040.
We’re proud to have been commissioned twice by STFC, meaning that DLA and Fathom will have prepared Development Plans for both the UK’s national laboratory facilities, giving us unique experience in this vital source of the UK’s innovation economy.