DB3 Science & Labs Profile

About DB3

Founded in 1883, DB3 Group is an award-winning, dynamic practice consisting of DB3 Architecture & Design, DB3 Building Services Engineering, DB3 Net Zero, DB3 Professional Services, Formation 3D and Home & Maker.

DB3 Group has seven studios across the UK including in Leeds, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Aberystwyth, so we are never too far away from your project. Renowned for our quality design and technical delivery, we have long standing relationships with some of the biggest global brands across private and public market sectors.

From architectural vision to the completed build, we provide multi-disciplinary expertise aimed at meeting the diverse needs of our client base. We embrace the latest technology, including Building

Information Modelling (BIM), to assist in our process and operations for design, visualisation, design team co-ordination and more.

We maintain a focus on not only delivering the project on time, with exceptional quality and within cost, but also in ensuring long term value is designed into facilities to ensure that they are easy and safe to operate, sustainable, minimise energy use and are cost effective to maintain.

Our dedicated team of experienced Architects, Project Managers, Building Services Engineers, Interior Designers and Surveyors provide a quality service regardless of project value, size or complexity, to deliver the best for our clients. Working collaboratively, we aspire to make this an enjoyable process and build relationships which result in us returning to work for the same clients on future projects.

Manchester

Advanced Spaces for the World of Research

From single units to large-scale, complex process driven industrial developments, DB3 has experience of design and management of science and laboratory projects from inception through to successful completion.

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High technology laboratory space, that house semi-permanent research studies

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University teaching laboratories, Pharmaceutical and productions facilities

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Design of Controlled Environment & Clean Design

We provide a range of services within this sector including a full architectural design service as well as MEP Building Services and Technical Advisory roles.

DEFRA

DNA Forensics Suite

Location: York, Yorkshire

Expertise Area: Architecture

Following the original Central Science Laboratory Campus project at York, DB3 subsequently completed a new DNA forensics suite within the existing structure.

The work included an array of specialist clean room and laboratory detailing, working with specialist suppliers and contractors.

The scheme provides a suite of laboratories that allow the process of forensic investigation in a safe, secure and unquestionable environment.

Features include:

Clean room facilities

Scanners

Bio-contact measures

Specialist servicing

Cold storage for samples

Controlled access & security.

SMITHERS VISCIENT

Environmental Research Laboratory

Location: Harrogate, Yorkshire

Expertise Area: Architecture

DB3 was appointed as architect and principal design team leaders for a new purpose built environmental research laboratory located in Harrogate on behalf of Smithers Viscient.

Smithers Viscient is a global Contract Research Organisation (CRO) providing environmental testing, ecotoxicology, and regulatory services for the crop protection, seed technology, pharmaceutical, industrial chemical, and the consumer and household product industries.

With laboratories located in North America and Europe, Smithers Viscient has performed standard guideline and higher-tiered environmental studies for over 40 years. Smithers Viscient conducts studies to satisfy all regulatory requirements globally. Services include ecotoxicology, avian toxicology, environmental fate, metabolism and residue, analytical, and product chemistry.

DB3 assisted the client to deliver a purpose-built laboratory to provide 16,000 sqft of high quality Environmental Testing Laboratories. Our works included the development of designs for specialist category research laboratories in both existing and new buildings. The laboratories are created to support environmental research and we worked closely with the scientific team and specialist equipment suppliers to integrate unusual processes and environments into the facility.

The building houses new scientific equipment for the company, including quantitative and qualitative mass spectrometers, including API5000 Sciex and a Thermo Fisher Q-Exactive. The client also relocated an ecotoxicology laboratory from Shawbury to provide services under one roof within the new facility.

THE

Bio Refinery

Location: York, Yorkshire

Expertise Area: Architecture

RESEARCH FACILITY

DB3 was commissioned to prepare detailed design proposals for a Government funded bio-refinery research facility based at Sand Hutton, York. The design for the project was developed on behalf of DEFRA and FERA.

The scheme is planned to extend the comprehensive 55-acre Central Science Laboratory research facility previously delivered as implementation architects by DB3.

We worked with the team as Lead Designers integrating the requirements of the development engineers and liaising with local authority planners and funder bodies to achieve the proposals on the greenfield site.

Designs included:

• A re-fit of the existing laboratory block to create a fully equipped office and laboratory space

• Strip-out & fit-out an existing grain store to create a fully equipped process facility

• Creation of a bunded store for raw and waste materials.

We have continued to look at a number of research projects based on the CSL site since initial delivery.

UNIVERISTY OF HULL

Chemistry Building

Location: Hull, Yorkshire

Expertise Area: Architecture

DB3 submitted designs as part of a competition to act as Lead Architect in relation to a substantive extension to the Biomedical facilities at the University of Hull.

The challenge was to create a statement build capable of securely housing a number of sensitive activities within.

The concept design create were for a building of approximately 1000 sqm.

SWANSEA UNIVERSITY

Chemistry Department

Location: Swansea, Wales

Expertise Area: Architecture

This project comprises the creation of a new University Chemistry department, comprising teaching and research laboratories, within an existing academic building, carried out in two phases.

Following the completion of a feasibility study DB3 Architecture were appointed to act as Architect and Principal Designer on the project.

The proposal was developed in conjunction with stakeholders, technical and research staff, together with assistance of staff from other academic institutions and industry experts.

The design seeks to facilitate learning by embracing current exemplars of chemistry teaching, requiring an innovative open plan layout supported by state of the art IT and other support facilities.

The aim of the project was to reintroduce Swansea University as a Centre of excellence for the teaching of Chemistry. The department welcomed its first cohort in September 2017.

EMERSON

Control Technologies Drives

Location: Ty Rheoli, Newtown, Wales

Expertise Area: Architecture & Design

DB3 acted as Concept Designer, Architect and Employers Agent for several phases of work to the production headquarters of Control Techniques Drives Ltd at Ty Rheoli, Newtown, Powys. The company is a specialist manufacturer of AC and DC variable speed drives, and is now a subsidiary of the Emerson Industrial Automation group.

Involvement in the initial phases of work was primarily as Architect and Project Co-ordinator to the Welsh Development Agency (and previously the Development Board for Rural Wales) who

developed the facilities on the behalf of the company.

The most significant phase of work involved the construction of a new PCB production plant, a high bay warehouse and three storey office block for the company bringing the overall area of the plant to approximately 125,000ft².

The work also involved the construction of a reception hub at the centre of the site to provide a visitor centre, training theatre and marketing suite.

UNIVERSITY OF HUDDERSFIELD

Institute of Rail Research

Location: Huddersfield, Yorkshire

Expertise Areas: Architecture

DB3 acted as Architect for a major refurbishment and alteration project to create a new Institute of Railway Research Centre facility on behalf of the University of Huddersfield. We worked closely with the individual client teams to evaluate the exacting briefs and environments required for their research needs.

Design team co-ordination was key and the creation of fully co-ordinated drawings across all disciplines at an early stage allowed the research teams to evaluate the optimum layout for their requirements.

The civil engineering works associated with structure, power and cooling have been developed, working closely with the research

team and equipment specialists responsible for developing the bespoke test rigs for rail wheels and bogies. Workshops were held with equipment developers and the research team to create the right environment to allow the research to develop.

The facility is unique in Europe, incorporating first of a kind heavy engineering test and research rigs. It has been specifically developed to house theoretical engineering testing on railway bogies and wheels at high speed. Noise, vibration, loadings and power were all major factors to evaluate and, as the performance was unknown, predictions made to allow the design of the laboratory to be completed.

Architecture and much more

As a multi-disciplinary consultancy, our expertise extends beyond architecture, meaning our clients can pick and choose key areas or combine a number of our service skill sets and project management skills when selecting our single point service offer. DB3 Group offers the following six individual business units.

DB3 Architecture & Design

Providing RIBA Chartered sustainable architecture, urban design and masterplanning, with supporting services including BIM, visualisation and interior design. DB3’s architectural team comprises 35+ architects, supported by a strong team of 50+ technologists and architectural assistants with the capacity to resource projects across all sectors.

DB3 Building Services Engineering Offering CIBSE Chartered Mechanical and Electrical Engineering to all sectors. The team have particular experience in the leisure sector, having delivered numerous wet and dry leisure facilities across the UK. The team are CIBSE Low Carbon Energy Assessors and offer Thermal Modelling (DSM).

Formation 3D (F3D)

Drone operated aerial surveys, photography and videography by DB3’s in-house CAA qualified drone operators. A low risk, time efficient alternative for building inspections and land surveys. F3D also offers highly accurate 3D data capture & mapping of existing structures using point cloud, RTK and PPK technology, turning into 3D digital models for construction, design and facilities management projects.

DB3 Net Zero

Drawing on the experience of our in-house mechanical & electrical engineers, architects, energy assessors, Passivhaus designers and sustainability experts. Our suite of Net Zero consultancy services is broken down into six categories which cover topics around whole life cycle. These categories include; Carbon, Efficiency, Passivhaus, Wellbeing, Performance & Compliance.

DB3 Professional Services

The team deliver building surveying, retail project management, principal designer, contract administration and NEC supervisor roles, across the UK. Working alongside DB3’s architectural and M&E teams, these roles can be incorporated into a multi-disciplinary offering or procured as an independent service.

Home & Maker

A sister company to DB3 Architecture & Design, Home and Maker provides RIBA chartered online architectural services to domestic residential customers. Drawing on DB3’s many years of home design and construction experience, Home & Maker focuses on designing great homes at an affordable price.

Awards

DB3 Group: Winner – City of Manchester & City of Birmingham Business Awards 2022 ‘Architect of the Year’; 2021 Digital Enterprise Top 100; Winner – Insider Property Industry Awards 2018 ‘Architectural Practice of the Year’ & ‘Design Excellence’; Shortlisted – BD Awards 2017 ‘Sports & Leisure Architect of the Year’; RICS Design Through Innovation Award 2017; Insider Property Industry Awards 2015 ‘Highly Commended Architectural Firm of the Year’

Llys Cadwyn Regeneration: Winner – Cardiff Property Awards 2021 and Ystadau Cymru 2021 Award for ‘Creating Economic Growth’; Highly Commended – British Construction Industry Awards 2021; CLAW Project of the Year Awards 2021

Adidas Oxford Street: Gold Winner – London Design Awards 2020

Leeds College of Music: Winner – RIBA Regional Award 2015 ‘Small Project Award’; Shortlisted –Insider Property Industry Awards Yorkshire 2018 ‘Regeneration Project of the Year’, Education Estates Awards 2018 ‘Refurbishment Project’, AJ Retrofit Awards 2018 ‘Further & Higher Education’; Constructing Excellence Yorkshire & Humber Awards 2018 ‘Building Project of the Year’

Chancery Lane Residential: Shortlisted – London Construction Awards 2018 ‘London Build Excellence’ & ‘Regeneration Project’

Airedale Air Conditioning: Winner – RICS 2017 Regional Award ‘Design through innovation’

Ysgol Craig Y Deryn School: RTPI Wales Planning Award 2014

Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre: Commended – SCALA Awards 2014 ‘Civic Building of the Year’

Michael Woods Leisure Centre: Highly Commended – SCALA Awards 2014 ‘Civic Building of the Year’; Scottish Property Awards 2014 ‘Architectural Excellence’

MOMA Machynlleth Tannery Gallery: CPRW Awards 2014 ‘Special Award’

Marks & Spencer, Liverpool: Highly Commended –CIAT Award 2010 ‘Technical Excellence’

PAN Emirates, Dubai: Shortlisted – Retail Interiors Awards 2010 ‘Best International Interior’

Threeways School, Bath: BCSE Awards 2009 ‘Inspiring Design for Special Schools’

ASDA Stores Supplier Awards: 2009 ‘Best Consultant’ & ‘Best EDLC (Every Day Low Cost) Initiative’

University of Huddersfield, Creative Art Building: Bronze Awards – RIBA White Rose Award 2009; Commendation – CIAT Award 2009; Shortlisted –RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards 2009

University of Huddersfield, Milton Centre: Winner – Insider Yorkshire Renaissance Awards 2006 ‘Best Restoration Project’

Aberdovey Yacht Club: Winner – Snowdonia National Park Awards 1992 ‘Good Design in the Countryside Award’

St Giles Business Park for the DBRW: Winner – Prince of Wales Design Awards 1990 ‘Good Design Awards’

Llwydcoed Crematorium: Commendation – RIBA Awards 1968

Various

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS): 2017, 2011, 2010

Green Apple Awards: 2015, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2008, LABC Building Excellence Awards: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008

LABC Design Excellence Awards: 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2003, 2002

Leicestershire & Rutland Craftsmanship Awards: 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2003, 2002

Civic Trust Awards: 2012, 2007, 2006, 1993, 1990 BREEAM Awards: 2008, 2007

Montgomeryshire Design Awards: 1997, 1994