Project Overview
The construction of a 16,000 sqft, single and two-storey bespoke office building.
Amiri was appointed to deliver a bespoke new-build headquarters for Promega UK in Southampton, comprising a highly specialised 16,000 sq ft office and laboratory facility designed to be both architecturally distinctive and technically advanced. The building was conceived to provide a high-quality working environment that supported scientific research, collaboration and staff wellbeing.
The development featured a dramatic double-height atrium dividing the building into two wings, alongside teaching and laboratory spaces, temperature-controlled storage, office accommodation, meeting rooms, welfare facilities and a fully equipped gym with showers and lockers.
Sustainability and user experience were enhanced through the inclusion of a green roof, an elevated terrace and extensive landscaping, creating an attractive and welcoming campus setting. The project was located directly opposite Benham 5, another Amiri-delivered building, and represented the fourth project completed by Amiri on the campus.
Key Challenges & Solutions
Delivering a Bespoke Scientific Facility with Complex Technical Requirements: The integration of laboratories, teaching spaces and temperature-sensitive storage within an architecturally ambitious structure required a high level of coordination and technical precision. Amiri worked in close collaboration with the design team, specialist subcontractors and Promega to ensure that all building services and specialist systems were fully coordinated. A workshop-based approach and the use of a shared BIM platform allowed all parties to input and review detailed design information, ensuring clarity of responsibilities and seamless integration of specialist elements.
Managing Complex Timber and Zinc Construction Elements: The building incorporated a bespoke timber frame and zinc roof and cladding, both of which required careful sequencing and protection to achieve the desired finish. The timber frame was developed as a contractor-designed element in collaboration with the specialist subcontractor, with installation sequences carefully planned to accommodate large structural members, including a 22-metre-long beam. The zinc roof and cladding were installed early in the programme, with Amiri proposing refinements to detailing and folds to improve the final aesthetic. Robust protection measures were maintained throughout the build to preserve the quality of these elements.
Logistics and Programme Management Within a Tight Site Footprint
The constrained site required careful management of logistics, particularly during the early stages when a tower crane was required for structural works. The crane location and installation sequence were meticulously planned to align with a critical programme milestone, ensuring it could be safely removed before access constraints increased. All construction activities were managed within the tight site compound, with detailed logistics planning mitigating risk and maintaining programme certainty.
Winner the Structural Timber award 2019
Winner of the RIBA South Regional Awards 2020
Project Outcomes
The completed headquarters provided Promega UK with a high-quality, future-focused facility that supported scientific innovation, operational efficiency and staff wellbeing. The combination of specialist laboratory environments and flexible office accommodation created an adaptable workspace aligned with Promega’s long-term growth ambitions.
The building’s sustainable design features, including the green roof and landscaped setting, reduced environmental impact while enhancing biodiversity across the site. The exceptional quality of design and construction was formally recognised, with the project winning the RIBA South Regional Award in 2020 and the Structural Timber Award in 2019, underlining the success of the collaborative approach and the high standards achieved throughout delivery.
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