Mace has secured a £184 million contract to deliver a major expansion of The Oxford Science Park, reinforcing Oxford’s position as one of the UK’s most important centres for life sciences, research and innovation. The scheme, known as The Daubeny Project, will introduce three new laboratory and office buildings designed to meet growing demand from biotech and research-led occupiers.
The development will provide approximately 400,500sq ft of specialist accommodation, at a time when the life sciences sector continues to outpace traditional commercial real estate in both demand and investment resilience. Owned by Magdalen College, Oxford, the Science Park has become a focal point for discovery, entrepreneurship and global research collaboration.
The development will provide approximately 400,500sq ft of specialist accommodation, at a time when the life sciences sector continues to outpace traditional commercial real estate in both demand and investment resilience. Owned by Magdalen College, Oxford, the Science Park has become a focal point for discovery, entrepreneurship and global research collaboration.
Life Sciences Construction and the Shift Toward Specialist Space
The award of this contract highlights a broader trend across UK construction: sustained investment in highly serviced, technically complex buildings that support research, pharmaceuticals and advanced manufacturing. Unlike conventional office space, life sciences facilities require specialist ventilation, structural capacity, vibration control and future adaptability.
This growing emphasis on technically demanding projects reflects a wider shift in how construction pipelines are evolving toward post-2026 operating models, where specialist sectors drive delivery rather than speculative commercial development.
The award of this contract highlights a broader trend across UK construction: sustained investment in highly serviced, technically complex buildings that support research, pharmaceuticals and advanced manufacturing. Unlike conventional office space, life sciences facilities require specialist ventilation, structural capacity, vibration control and future adaptability.
This growing emphasis on technically demanding projects reflects a wider shift in how construction pipelines are evolving toward post-2026 operating models, where specialist sectors drive delivery rather than speculative commercial development.
Oxford’s continued expansion mirrors patterns already visible in London and the South East, where life sciences schemes are increasingly prioritised within planning and investment strategies.
Sustainability, Embodied Carbon and Engineering Innovation
Sustainability is central to the Daubeny Project’s design and delivery strategy. The new buildings will incorporate biodiverse landscaping, extensive photovoltaic energy generation, and layouts optimised for natural daylight and occupant wellbeing.
Mace’s ground engineering approach is expected to save approximately 3,000 tonnes of embodied carbon, while the use of recycled aluminium façades will deliver a further saving of more than 500 tonnes of carbon. These measures reflect the growing importance of retrofit-led thinking, low-carbon materials and whole-life carbon assessment across UK construction.
Local authorities and institutions are increasingly aligning major developments with frameworks aimed at reducing embodied carbon and improving the performance of the built environment.
Delivery Risk, Skills Pressure and the 2026 Completion Window
Scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, the project will be delivered during a period of heightened pressure on the construction industry. Skills availability, sequencing risk and supply-chain coordination remain major challenges, particularly for technically complex developments such as laboratories and research facilities.
While flagship projects like this demonstrate confidence in the sector, they also underline the capacity constraints facing UK construction more broadly. Labour availability and specialist expertise are widely recognised as the biggest structural risk to construction delivery heading into 2026, especially for projects requiring advanced engineering capability.
Scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, the project will be delivered during a period of heightened pressure on the construction industry. Skills availability, sequencing risk and supply-chain coordination remain major challenges, particularly for technically complex developments such as laboratories and research facilities.
While flagship projects like this demonstrate confidence in the sector, they also underline the capacity constraints facing UK construction more broadly. Labour availability and specialist expertise are widely recognised as the biggest structural risk to construction delivery heading into 2026, especially for projects requiring advanced engineering capability.
Despite these pressures, the scheme is expected to generate significant employment opportunities and further cement Oxford’s reputation as a global centre for scientific discovery, research-led growth and innovation-led development.
A Strategic Signal, Not Just a Single Project
More than a single contract win, Mace’s appointment signals continued confidence in life sciences infrastructure as a long-term growth sector for UK construction. As traditional commercial demand remains uneven, specialist developments such as this are increasingly shaping regional construction pipelines.
The Oxford Science Park expansion offers a clear example of where future-proofed construction demand is heading — toward specialist, sustainable and technically complex projects that align with research, innovation and long-term economic strategy.
More than a single contract win, Mace’s appointment signals continued confidence in life sciences infrastructure as a long-term growth sector for UK construction. As traditional commercial demand remains uneven, specialist developments such as this are increasingly shaping regional construction pipelines.
The Oxford Science Park expansion offers a clear example of where future-proofed construction demand is heading — toward specialist, sustainable and technically complex projects that align with research, innovation and long-term economic strategy.
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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus
Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
