Tinbergen Plantroom & CTL Building
Project at a glance
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SectorHigh-Tech
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LocationSouth East
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ClientErith Contractors
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Main ContractorErith Contractors
Supporting scientific advancement through modular innovation
SES Engineering Services, in collaboration with Prism Offsite Manufacturing, played a key role in enabling the demolition of Oxford’s iconic Tinbergen Building to make way for the new Life and Mind Building—one of the University’s most ambitious scientific infrastructure projects.
Originally designed in 1965 and opened in 1971, the Tinbergen Building housed over 1,600 staff and students. It also contained the fume and solvent extract plantroom for the adjacent Chemistry Teaching Laboratory. To maintain operations during redevelopment, SES was commissioned to design and fabricate a bespoke modular plantroom, installed on screw piles on the south football pitch until the new permanent facility within the Life and Mind Building is completed.
SES also carried out internal remodelling of existing laboratories and teaching spaces to facilitate the safe and efficient demolition process led by principal contractor Erith. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project commenced in March 2020 and was delivered on time.
Technical highlights
Modular plantroom delivery
A bespoke fume and solvent extract plantroom was designed and fabricated offsite, ensuring continuity of operations for the Chemistry Teaching Laboratory during redevelopment.
COVID-19 resilience
Despite pandemic-related delays, SES adapted quickly to revised timelines and maintained project momentum, completing works on schedule.
Laboratory remodelling
SES reconfigured existing lab and teaching spaces to support safe demolition and future development, ensuring minimal disruption to academic activities.
Enabling world-class research
The project paved the way for the Life and Mind Building—Oxford’s largest-ever building project—set to transform psychological and biological sciences and support global research initiatives.
