Objectives and design goal

The client required a high-performance lab space to attract academia, start-ups, and industry leaders. The facility needed to include laboratories, meeting rooms, quiet areas, and social hubs. They also sought to create a visually striking space that reinforced their reputation as a hub for cutting-edge research, while maintaining vital needs such as fire safety, acoustic performance, and durability. Innovative features, such as LED-lit partitions achieve the perfect balance between striking visual impact and practical benefits.

Collaboration through the project team was also key to delivering this facility and discussions at early design stage enabled a smooth delivery. James Ncube, Contracts Manager at Bulb Interiors Ltd said: “The site team and site management were second to none.”

Solutions and products provided

Revolution 100 Double-Glazed Partitions with LED lighting feature window:
To address the client’s need for a balance between practical use and sophistication, Optima integrated standout feature LED lighting into our highest acoustically rated Revolution 100 punched window (51dB). The LED-lit partitions were strategically installed in the reception area to create an inviting first impression for visitors and reinforce the facility’s identity as a cutting-edge research space. The design achieved not only a sleek and futuristic focal point but also acoustic privacy, ensuring that noise from the bustling breakout area does not interfere with the important work inside the adjacent lab.

Technishield 65 fire-rated systems:
Technishield 65 power-assisted single-glazed doors, along with punched windows were specified to meet the client’s requirement of 30 minutes of fire integrity and insulation on both sides, which was critical given the nature of the labs and their equipment. The power-assisted functionality enables effortless and controlled door operation, ensuring ease of use for researchers carrying sensitive equipment or materials while maintaining accessibility for all users. This feature minimises physical strain, reduces wear and tear on the door mechanisms, and ensures the doors operate reliably under frequent use. These fire-rated systems were specifically chosen to ensure compliance with rigorous safety standards while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic that complements the rest of the lab’s design. This reflects the project’s overarching goal of creating a safe yet welcoming environment for researchers and visitors alike.

Acoustic excellence:
Meeting rooms and private spaces were equipped with Edge Affinity single-glazed doors (35dB) and Revolution 54 Plus partitions (46dB), ensuring high acoustic performance. These solutions allowed for quiet meeting rooms and private spaces, vital for the multifunctional nature of the facility. By reducing noise transfer between spaces, these solutions create a productive and collaborative working environment which highlights our strength in balancing the highest acoustic performance with modern, design-conscious partitioning.

Results and impact

The final installation delivered a laboratory facility that seamlessly integrates technical precision with thoughtful aesthetics.

• Acoustic privacy: The glass partitions delivered the highest acoustic performance, ensuring quiet and distraction-free environments for researchers and meeting rooms.
• Fire safety compliance: To meet the client’s requirement, specific systems were designed to deliver 30 minutes of fire integrity and insulation, ensuring a safe and compliant laboratory environment without compromising aesthetics.
• Visual appeal with functionality: The LED-lit glass partitions introduced a sense of sophistication and precision, enhancing the reception area with a sleek, futuristic aesthetic. This design choice aligns with the lab’s purpose as a hub for cutting-edge scientific research, reinforcing the innovation-driven atmosphere of the space.

• BREEAM Excellent: All materials adhered to Gensler Product Sustainability (GPS) standards, showcasing Optima’s commitment to environmentally conscious design. Additionally, our aluminum is manufactured with Hydro CIRCAL 75R in our Revolution 100 systems. Composed of at least 75% post-consumer recycled aluminium, this material achieves an embodied carbon footprint of less than 1.9 kg CO₂ per kg, currently the lowest carbon aluminium available for construction. Incorporating Hydro CIRCAL 75R not only met the client’s sustainability goals but also demonstrated Optima’s commitment to driving lower impact building materials. This choice reflects the increasing importance of sustainable design in the life sciences sector. In recognition of its high sustainability credentials, the project achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating.

This project showcases Optima’s expertise in combining form and function to create stand out spaces. Optima delivered a tailored solution that sets the standard for high-performance laboratory design.