Architectural Precast for a Landmark Life Sciences Development
Evans by Shay Murtagh is nearing completion of its specialist architectural precast package for 2000 Discovery Drive, a flagship life sciences development at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Appointed by main contractor SDC in 2025, the project is scheduled to open in Autumn 2026, creating over 109,000 sq ft of high-quality laboratory and office space designed to support world-leading research and innovation.
Working alongside the wider project team, Evans by Shay Murtagh was responsible for the design and supply of approximately 170 bespoke architectural precast concrete units, forming key elements of the building’s external public realm and roof terrace.
Creating Functional, Social Green Spaces
The architectural precast package was developed to enhance the landscape design, creating attractive and durable spaces that encourage collaboration, wellbeing and sustainable urban drainage.
Our scope included:
- Rain garden planter seating walls
- Podium roof amphitheatre seating
- Access steps
- Bespoke cycle ramp units
Together, these elements create a series of integrated outdoor spaces that balance functionality with architectural quality, providing areas for informal meetings, relaxation and circulation while complementing the wider landscape strategy.
Bespoke Architectural Finish
Every one of the architectural precast concrete units was manufactured using a bespoke concrete mix incorporating carefully selected limestone and Spanish dolomite aggregates.
The premium aggregate blend delivers a refined architectural finish with excellent durability and colour consistency, ensuring the precast elements will retain their appearance despite heavy daily use and exposure to the elements. Off-site manufacture also ensured precise dimensional accuracy, consistent quality and efficient installation across the project.
Supporting Sustainable Design
2000 Discovery Drive has been designed as a next-generation research facility targeting BREEAM Excellent and EPC A standards, with sustainability embedded throughout the development. The landscaped rain gardens and podium-level external spaces play an important role in enhancing biodiversity, managing surface water and creating a healthier environment for building users.
The bespoke precast solutions supplied by Evans by Shay Murtagh contribute to this vision by providing robust, low-maintenance landscape infrastructure designed for long-term performance.
Project Team
Client: Prologis
Main Contractor: SDC
Architects: Growth Industry & Scott Brownrigg
Installer: Oliver Connell
Architectural Precast: Evans by Shay Murtagh
Work in Progress
Installation is now approaching completion ahead of the building’s planned opening in Autumn 2026. Once complete, the project will provide a distinctive series of architectural precast landscape features that combine craftsmanship, durability and contemporary design within one of the UK’s leading life sciences campuses.
