Morgan Sindall Construction has been selected as sole contractor for the construction of three new wet laboratory buildings at Unity Campus - a new urban innovation district eight miles south of Cambridge in the heart of the life sciences cluster.

At Unity Campus, Howard Group is transforming a tired industrial estate into a stunning modern workplace which is already home to 12 leading life science and technology companies.

The masterplan for the compact site has been purposefully designed to foster business interactions and friendships, where entrepreneurs from around the world work, innovate, collaborate, and exchange ideas. Building on the industrial legacy of the nearby villages of Sawston and Pampisford, the bold urban aesthetic of the buildings will be offset by a network of connected green spaces and water meadows as well as a landscaped courtyard with a multi-purpose clubhouse.

Phase 2 of the development comprises three new wet laboratory buildings of 32,500 sq ft, 31,000 sq ft and 24,500 sq ft, available for occupation during the summer and autumn of 2023. Offered as a whole or floor by floor, each building will provide a 60/40 lab/office split with provision for four ducted fume hoods and dedicated plant facilities. The office space will be delivered to CAT A (open plan) with toilet and shower facilities on each floor.


Community, societal impact and sustainability underpin every aspect of the operation and development of the Campus. With sustainability as an underlying principle both during construction and occupation, Howard Group is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating for each building.

Having also delivered 'The Works', Unity Campus 60,000 sq ft flagship laboratory and office building, Morgan Sindall Construction is a trusted long-term partner of Howard Group and enjoys an exceptional track record in delivering complex projects to time and on budget. A dedicated team of property sector specialists is working alongside Morgan Sindall Constructionand Howard Group on the delivery of the development, comprising Nicholas Hare Architects - an award-winning design practice with over 30 years’ experience in the delivery of life science facilities for both industry and academia; 3PM - project managers with a long-established reputation in the delivery of complex projects in life sciences; and CB3, Conisbee, Shrimplin and Hoare Lee.

Werner Baumker, Group Director – Property, Howard Group commented: "Phase 2 is a vital next step in the delivery of Howard Group's vision for Unity Campus. We are delighted to be moving forward at pace, and with a clear deadline for delivery, for what will be the next newly constructed fitted wet laboratory buildings in Cambridge. By merging the traditional and modern, urban and rural, business and social, Unity Campus offers an entirely different working environment to other science and research parks in the Cambridge area, creating a wider choice of location for technology and life science companies seeking laboratories or offices. During a time of such clear demand/supply imbalance in Cambridge, we and our partners are committed to delivering the space required to a standard that will create a lasting legacy, positively impacting not only those that work at Unity Campus but also the wider community."