A state-of-the-art incubator and accelerator for Oxford
Fabrica
Providing 180,000 square feet of speculative laboratory, work and collaboration space, this flagship building is designed for multi-occupancy across five floors.
The background
The demolition of a former carpet warehouse makes way for the creation of a fully flexible shell and core facility for established and early-stage start-up businesses, as phase two of the ‘West End Oxford Urban Science District Scheme’ comes to fruition.
Appointed from RIBA Stage 4, Oberlanders are the delivery architects for the 180,000 square feet facility, which is going to provide speculative laboratory, work and collaboration space across five floors.
The site’s commutable location houses Oxford's most central commercial science district to date. Set to accommodate established and spin-out companies from local Universities, the space will become a fresh new urban quarter, set to attract skilled researchers, businesses and employment to the area by providing an alternative to travelling to out-of-town science parks.
The design approach
Designed for multi-occupancy and flexible research and development use, the project involves demolishing the existing building and replacing it with a new speculative shell‑and‑core development that incorporates amenity spaces and collaboration areas suitable for hosting events, conferences and educational visits.
An initial peer review has maximised investment by putting every square inch of space to work.
Sustainability
A focus on sustainability will target a BREEAM Outstanding rating, with a minimum 40% carbon emission reduction over Part L. Reusing the steel structure from the carefully demolished shed will enhance the embodied carbon targets, while strict protocols established during construction will ensure the sustainable procurement of building materials. The building and its outdoor spaces are designed to mitigate any flood risk, and a biodiversity net gain of more than 10% will be achieved. There will be 244 new cycle parking spaces and 74 car parking spaces with EV charging infrastructure.
The interiors
A key principle of the interior design approach is the seamless connection between the interiors and the building’s striking external cladding. This continuity is expressed with the use of a wall acoustic cladding that echoes the building’s three‑dimensional, triangular exterior geometry. The atrium stairs with their perforated triangular patterns and self-illuminated handrails, the atrium’s informal seating arrangements and the meeting pods facing the main entrance atrium are designed to enhance movement and collaboration throughout the building’s communal spaces. The colour palette unifies the spaces, creating visual coherence and impact, while robust finishes anchor the interiors with a sense of durability and purpose.
The impact
Fabrica is the largest commercial science scheme to gain consent in central Oxford. The redevelopment of this brownfield site breathes new life into the area and is poised to make a meaningful contribution to the wider Oxford sciences ecosystem.
Fabrica will be the first living wage building in Oxford.
