We deliver landmark £200m facility for Oxford University
We deliver landmark £200m facility for Oxford University
A new milestone
- We have completed a £200 million state-of-the-art research and education facility for Oxford University
- The Life and Mind Building is one of the institution’s largest construction projects
- The 25,000sqm facility will house the Biology and Experimental Psychology departments and support over 2,400 students, academics and researchers
We have completed construction of the Life and Mind Building (LaMB), a landmark £200 million project that now stands as one of the University of Oxford’s largest and most ambitious buildings to date.
Designed by architect NBBJ and spanning 25,000sqm, the state-of-the-art facility will be home to the Biology and Experimental Psychology departments, as well as the Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research (IOI), bringing together more than 1,400 scientists, academics, researchers, support staff and postgraduate students, with lecture halls and teaching spaces serving around 1,000 undergraduate students.
LaMB sets a new standard for complex, sustainable construction in higher education and life sciences. The building has a BREEAM Excellent rating and incorporates low-carbon technologies, including air source heat pumps, rooftop solar panels, triple glazing and adaptive ventilation, to help it achieve net-zero carbon in operation by 2030.
The construction process used advanced offsite manufacturing, such as factory-fitted components and preassembled cladding systems, to maximise efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of construction.
Cutting-edge resources throughout the building – such as sleep laboratories, experimental classrooms and rooftop glasshouses, as well as the University’s botanical collections – will enable researchers and students to explore the science of life and mind under one roof, fostering collaboration and discovery at every level.
Research work in the building will look to tackle some of the most urgent challenges of our time: climate change, ecological resilience, mental health, childhood learning, future food systems and biodiversity loss.
The Life and Mind Building is one of the most meaningful projects we’ve ever delivered, the gateway to Oxford’s scientific sector and a space designed for the world’s brightest minds to thrive.
“This facility sets a bold benchmark for sustainable, collaborative construction and shows what is possible when vision, expertise and partnership align – a proud milestone for Wates.”
Mark Craig
Managing Director, Wates Construction South
The project was delivered by our Construction business and mechanical, electrical and plumbing specialist, SES, in partnership. The scope included a highly complex engineering package, including SES’s largest prefabricated plantroom to date. Successful completion of the building highlights the combined expertise of both businesses in delivering major, technically challenging schemes within the life sciences sector.
The building was the winner of Project of the Year award at the OxProp Awards 2025, winning the accolade for its scale, ambition and attention to detail.
