Bio-Cube 1, Edinburgh

Providing the client with multiple flexible Cat 2 laboratories and Grade A office suites. Complete with showers and changing rooms, meeting rooms, kitchenette areas along with a DDA compliant lift. The building also has glazed partitioning and rainscreen cladding.

Thurston’s was appointed by four influential public sector partners, including the City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, Scottish Enterprise and the University of Edinburgh. Each partner brings formidable experience and expertise in areas crucial to BioQuarter’s success and future development plans. 

Bio-Cube 1 sits in the Edinburgh BioQuarter, a 160-acre site of life sciences space complete with a prestigious teaching hospital, a world-renowned school of medicine and a host of ambitious life sciences companies.

The University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Dementia Prevention is leading a major worldwide study into the condition. Professor Craig Ritchie, Director of the Centre, commented on the role the BioQuarter base is playing in the study’s success. “Being located at BioQuarter has helped immensely in this regard,” says Professor Ritchie. “I’ve been involved in clinical trials for many years and offering participants purpose-built facilities counts for a lot.”

Positive experiences – It’s a view backed by first-hand evidence. “We regularly receive positive feedback regarding the Bio-Cube 1 building,” continues Professor Ritchie. “That’s important because participant experience is at the heart of our work. Many of our activities depend on follow-up studies, so great experiences with the Centre, our staff, and our general environment impacts on participant retention.”

“Volunteers tell us they are happy to spend a whole day at the Centre having assessments performed. It’s clear that our building’s location, architecture and geography all make a significant difference to our ability to attract and retain participants.”