The 2026 Event

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2026 Highlights

2026 Programme

2026 Speakers

Adrian Collyer
Director of Operations for Science, Healthcare & Innovation
Canary Wharf Group
Ben Vogel
Deputy Editor
Construction News
Billy Choi
Director and Head of Science and Innovation, Allies and Morrison and member
I2SL
Chris Walters
Portfolio Director & European Acquisitions Lead
Pioneer Group
Claudia Tschunko
Architect Design & Service Leader UKIMEA
Arup
Colin Brown
Development Director
Mission Street
David Roden
Managing Director, Niazi Roden Architects and member
I2SL
Doug Ward
Head of Building Facilities & Compliance, Sainsbury Wellcome Labs and member
I2SL
Emily Slupek
Director, Divisional Science Sector Co-Lead
Savills
Ged Couser
Principal Architect
BDP
George Beaton
EMEA Life Sciences Research Lead
JLL
Ivana Poparic
Head of Life Science Cluster Development
MedCity
Jane Hutchins
Director
Cambridge Science Park
Jason Gibbings
Framework Director
Integrated Health Projects
Joanna Rayner
Head of Alliance Agreement - Hospital 2.0
New Hospital Programme
Kevin McCauley
Head of Asset Management, Strategy and Research
Royal London Asset Management
Neelam Patel
Portfolio Chair and Life Sciences Advisor
NIHR Healthcare Research Centre
Peter Ward
Executive Director
Abzyme
Philip Carvil
Head of Clusters
UKRI Science and Technology Facilities Council
Sean Allen
Senior Architect
Hawkins\Brown
Sophie White
Sector Head of Regeneration
Aviva Capital Partners
Tom Murphy
Associate Director
David Miller Architects
Tracy D'Souza
Research and Technical Officer
I2SL UK Chapter

2026 Award categories

The awards recognise the innovation, collaboration, impact, projects and the companies creating value across science, innovation and technology real estate. Spotlighting the very best!

Impact 

This category celebrates the transformative use of technology and innovation in life science development. It recognises projects that harness cutting-edge solutions to enhance delivery, functionality, efficiency, and sustainability within life science and research facilities. From advanced building systems and digital integration to enhanced user experience from the application of smart technology.

Entrants should also demonstrate how the adoption of new technologies and innovative strategies has improved operational performance, supported scientific discovery, or set new sustainability standards for excellence in the sector.

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Life Science facilities and laboratories are often energy-intensive, rely on complex supply chains, and demand precision in controlled environments—all of which can strain natural resources and contribute to carbon emissions.

This category recognises those who have risen to these challenges with groundbreaking solutions that prioritise environmental stewardship while supporting the needs of cutting-edge science.

Entrants should illustrate how their projects meet ambitious sustainability goals, including measurable reductions in carbon emissions, water conservation, waste minimisation, and enhanced biodiversity.

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This category celebrates projects that deliver meaningful and measurable social value while fostering positive impacts within their communities. These projects for beyond economic outcomes to focus on improving the lives and prospects of the communities that live close to the project area.

We are looking for an organisation or individual that has implemented, completed or committed to a ground-breaking social impact scheme, project or initiative that has had a real and measurable positive social impact on the community.

This category is open to organisations and individuals primarily operating in the life sciences sector.

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This award will celebrate either an innovative development project or an effective corporate carbon reduction programme in the development of life science facilities, with an outstanding impact on carbon emissions.

The winner will have achieved significant and quantifiable CO2 savings. Entrants will be evaluated on both their vision and their approach to delivery, and they must be able to demonstrate milestones reached during the eligibility period. Project entries can relate to new-build or retrofit schemes, small or large.

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Individual 

Role-agnostic, the Life Science Icon Award recognises an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the design, development, investment and management of real estate that serves the life sciences sector.

This award is intended to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond in their field. Whether through influential investments, sustainable design practices or outstanding project delivery, they have had a profound effect in creating environments that enable the next wave of scientific discoveries and medical breakthroughs.

This category is open to entries and/or nominations and may also include views from our judging panel.

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Innovation 

The construction of life science and research facilities demands innovation, precision, and a forward-thinking approach. Facilities must meet the highest standards of safety, functionality, and sustainability while accommodating the unique and evolving needs of scientific research.

This category celebrates the adoption of cutting-edge construction methods and materials that push the boundaries of what is possible. From modular construction to sustainable practices, the entries must demonstrate innovation that delivers safe, adaptable and efficient facilities.

To qualify, construction projects must have been completed within the past 2 years.

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The design of laboratory spaces in life science buildings and research clusters is fundamental to fostering innovation, scientific discovery, and collaboration. These spaces must be carefully planned and tailored to meet the complex and varied requirements of research activities.

Entries should address both the practical and innovative needs of life science researchers, ensuring that the space is functional, safe, and adaptable while promoting collaboration, efficiency, and sustainability.

This category is open to architects, designers, research institutions, life science companies, and advisers.

To qualify, the design should be relevant to projects completed within the past 2 years.

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This award is open to advisers, developers, occupiers, architects, and designers that can provide solid evidence that they have enabled the creation of the most functional and productive workspace specific to life science buildings.

Entries should emphasise the important of creating workspaces that are flexible and conducive to high-performance research whilst fostering a healthy, creative and collaborative environment for all occupants.

To qualify, the design should be relevant to projects completed within the past 2 years.

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Collaboration 

Have you pulled off a ground-breaking life science deal against the odds? Has your business struck a property or corporate deal or entered into an important joint venture that moved the dial? Then we want to hear from you.

To qualify, the deal must have completed within the last 2 years. Whether it is a merger or acquisition of another organisation, an acquisition or sale of property or an innovative joint venture.

This category is open to organisations and individuals primarily operating in the life science sector.

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This award recognises the pivotal role of Private-Public Partnerships in advancing life sciences through innovative approaches to project delivery. It celebrates outstanding collaborations that create impact in the areas of design, economic growth, sustainability and community engagement.

To qualify, partnerships must have taken place within the last 2 years. Companies involved in Public-Private Partnerships may include, but are not exclusive to, developers, investors, academic institutions, life sciences firms, and healthcare providers.

This category is open to organisations working collaboratively in the life science sector.

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Companies 

This award recognises and celebrates a legal firm or division which has provided outstanding services for stakeholders delivering science and technology real estate developments. Entries can relate to either contentious or non-contentious services, including dispute avoidance, conflict resolution, resolving contractual issues, developing and securing planning applications or other legal consents.

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This award aims to celebrate an engineering consultancy that has demonstrated impact in life science and research property design and consultancy. Recognising firms who have excelled in delivering innovative, sustainable and technically outstanding engineering solutions for the life sciences built environment.

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This award recognises a developer that has demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision and innovation in delivering life science and research cluster projects. It seeks to celebrate developers who have successfully delivered impactful projects, transforming local areas and enabling local economies and research organisations to thrive.

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This award aims to celebrate a financier organisation that has demonstrated impact in life science and research property dept or equity financing in the past 2 years. Has your firm been particularly innovative in it’s approach to development finance or forward funding packages, for example? Have you approached financing projects in a way that stands out from the crowd? Then we want to hear from you.

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This award aims to celebrate the best in life sciences and research property sales and/or lettings. Has your team completely sold out a development or become the ‘go to’ agency for life science and research organisations? Perhaps you achieved record sales or letting volumes in the science and innovation sector, then we want to hear from you.

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This category seeks to recognise the most outstanding main contractor delivering projects for the life science, research and advanced manufacturing industry. Judges will be looking for evidence of contribution to brilliant projects innovation, quality of work and a forward-looking approach to delivery.

Entrants should supply turnover and profit figures for the last two years of filed accounts and a copy of the most recent annual report if it exists.

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This category seeks to recognise the most outstanding architectural firm that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation and impact within the life science and research sector. Recognising firms that set the benchmark for design excellence and push the boundaries of architectural design.

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This category is open to any type of specialist contractor or specialist division of a main contractor, including firms who have a direct commercial relationship with a main contractor or client organisation. The award reflects the overall performance of the company in the life science and research sector for the past 2 years. Judges will be looking for evidence of business success and development and the quality of work the specialist does for clients – that outperforms it’s peers.

Entrants should supply turnover and profit figures for the last two years of filed accounts and a copy of the most recent annual report if it exists.

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Projects 

This category recognises outstanding new building projects that demonstrate exceptional design, innovation, and efficient delivery in the life sciences sector. These project awards are for property and construction professional teams who deserve recognition for their high standard of work, adherence to budget and client satisfaction.

To qualify, projects must have taken place within the last 2 years. The entry should have one main proposer but please also provide details of other relevant companies involved (as a minimum, the entry should contain details of the client, architect, engineering consultant and principal contractor). Larger projects in particular will be expected to reflect the size of the team involved.

Each application should be accompanied by three different photographs of the completed project and may be supported by up to three other photographs of the project under construction.

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This category seeks to recognise outstanding new campus developments. Whether new developments or expansions of an existing campus, this award seeks to highlight projects that create world-class environments fostering innovative and collaborative clusters.

To qualify, projects must have taken place within the last 2 years. The entry should have one main proposer but please also provide details of other relevant companies involved (as a minimum, the entry should contain details of the client, architect, engineering consultant and principal contractor). Larger projects in particular will be expected to reflect the size of the team involved.

Each application should be accompanied by three different photographs of the completed project and may be supported by up to three other photographs of the project under construction.

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This award celebrates outstanding achievements in urban development projects that have successfully integrated into city spaces to meet the needs of the life sciences sector. These can be new build, adaptive reuse and mixed-use developments that demonstrate excellence in place making and fostering vibrant new communities.

To qualify, projects must have taken place within the last 2 years. The entry should have one main proposer but please also provide details of other relevant companies involved (as a minimum, the entry should contain details of the client, architect, engineering consultant and principal contractor). Larger projects in particular will be expected to reflect the size of the team involved.

Each application should be accompanied by three different photographs of the completed project and may be supported by up to three other photographs of the project under construction.

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This category celebrates the transformation of existing buildings into exceptional facilities for the life science sector. It recognises projects that demonstrate innovative design, sustainable practices, and creative reuse of existing spaces.

To qualify, projects must have taken place within the last 2 years. The entry should have one main proposer but please also provide details of other relevant companies involved (as a minimum, the entry should contain details of the client, architect, engineering consultant and principal contractor). Larger projects in particular will be expected to reflect the size of the team involved.

Each application should be accompanied by three different photographs of the completed project and may be supported by up to three other photographs of the project under construction.

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This project of the year award honours an outstanding life sciences development that exemplifies excellence in design, innovation, sustainability and impact. Open to any project completed within the last 2 years, this category seeks to celebrate the best of UK development and construction, rewarding high standards of work and projects that have made significant contributions to the sector, setting new standards for the built environment.

The entry should have one main proposer but please also provide details of other relevant companies involved (as a minimum, the entry should contain details of the client, architect, engineering consultant and principal contractor). Larger projects in particular will be expected to reflect the size of the team involved.

Each application should be accompanied by three different photographs of the completed project and may be supported by up to three other photographs of the project under construction.

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Winners 2026

Best Advisory Services Firm

This award recognises and celebrates a legal firm or division which has provided outstanding services for stakeholders delivering science and technology real estate developments. Entries can relate to either contentious or non-contentious services, including dispute avoidance, conflict resolution, resolving contractual issues, developing and securing planning applications or other legal consents.

Winner: Trowers & Hamlins

Finalist:

  • CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang

Best Architecture Practice

This category seeks to recognise the most outstanding architectural firm that has demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation and impact within the life science and research sector. Recognising firms that set the benchmark for design excellence and push the boundaries of architectural design.

Winner: HOK

Finalists:

  • Arup Architecture
  • Bond Bryan
  • Corstorphine & Wright
  • David Miller Architects
  • Niazi Roden
  • Oberlanders Architects

Best Contractor

This category is open to any type of contractor or specialist division of a contractor, including firms who have a direct commercial relationship with a main contractor or client organisation. The award reflects the overall performance of the company in the life science and research sector for the past 2 years. Judges will be looking for evidence of business success and development and the quality of work the specialist does for clients – that outperforms it’s peers.

Winner: SB Laboratories

Finalists:

  • Sisk
  • Wade Construction Management

Best Developer

This award recognises a developer that has demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision and innovation in delivering life science and research cluster projects. It seeks to celebrate developers who have successfully delivered impactful projects, transforming local areas and enabling local economies and research organisations to thrive.

Winner: Advanced Research Clusters

Finalists:

  • BioMed Realty
  • Sciopolis
  • Socius

Best New Building

This category recognises outstanding new building projects that demonstrate exceptional design, innovation, and efficient delivery in the life sciences sector. These project awards are for property and construction professional teams who deserve recognition for their high standard of work, adherence to budget and client satisfaction.

Winner: McLaughlin & Harvey in collaboration with Breakthrough Properties, Niazi Roden, Thornton Tomasetti, K J Tait - Trinity by Breakthrough

Finalists:

  • Bogle Architects - Mephared II
  • Hawkins\Brown - Health Innovation Hub
  • King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - KAUST Coral Nursery
  • NBBJ - Life and Mind Building, University of Oxford
  • Ryder Architecture - Bioprocess Innovation Centre UK Laboratories
  • Sisk - Project Borealis

Best New Campus Development

This category seeks to recognise outstanding new campus developments. Whether new developments or expansions of an existing campus, this award seeks to highlight projects that create world-class environments fostering innovative and collaborative clusters.

Winner: NBBJ - Life and Mind Building, University of Oxford

Finalists:

  • Morrison Design - University of Derby Superlab
  • Ryder Architecture - Fujifilm Biotechnologies Campus

Best Research & Commercial Partnership

This award recognises the pivotal role of Private-Public Partnerships in advancing life sciences through innovative approaches to project delivery. It celebrates outstanding collaborations that create impact in the areas of design, economic growth, sustainability and community engagement.

Winner: Advanced Research Clusters - UK’s Growth Engine: Harwell Science and Innovation Campus

Finalists:

  • Socius & Aviva Capital Partners - London Cancer Hub, Sutton
  • University of Surrey - vHive Incubator

Best Retrofit & Reuse Building - Campus & Estate Transformation

This category celebrates the transformation of existing buildings into exceptional facilities for the life science sector. It recognises projects that demonstrate innovative design, sustainable practices, and creative reuse of existing spaces.

Winner: White Arkitekter - Lumi

Finalists:

  • Advanced Research Clusters - Refinery
  • CPW - Charnwood Campus, Building 28
  • HLM Architects - Health Sciences Library
  • Longfellow Real Estate Partners - Reinvention of CamLIFE
  • Morrison Design - University of Derby Superlab
  • Sciopolis - 1 Portal Way, North Acton

Best Retrofit & Reuse Building - Lab & Specialist Facility

This category celebrates the transformation of existing buildings into exceptional facilities for the life science sector. It recognises projects that demonstrate innovative design, sustainable practices, and creative reuse of existing spaces.

Winner: Corstorphine & Wright and Heyne Tillett Steel -  Victoria House

Finalists:

  • Arup - One Triton Square
  • Arup - Northeastern University London
  • Morgan Lovell - Riverlabs
  • R N Wooler - York Biotech Insect Quarantine Unit
  • Scitech-Ekium - Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust Advanced Therapy Manufacturing Platform
  • Taylor & Fraser with Chemify - Chemify – First of its kind

Innovative Construction Methods

The construction of life science and research facilities demands innovation, precision, and a forward-thinking approach. Facilities must meet the highest standards of safety, functionality, and sustainability while accommodating the unique and evolving needs of scientific research.

Winner: Guardtech Cleanrooms - Cleancube Maxi 7 NHS Aseptic Pharmacy Container Facility

Finalists:

  • White Arkitekter - Lumi

Innovative Lab Space Solutions

The design of laboratory spaces in life science buildings and research clusters is fundamental to fostering innovation, scientific discovery, and collaboration. These spaces must be carefully planned and tailored to meet the complex and varied requirements of research activities.

Winner: NBBJ -  Life and Mind Building, University of Oxford

Finalists:

  • BondBryan:Fairhursts with Advanced Research Clusters - Lumen
  • King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - KAUST Coral Nursery
  • Prologis - Histopathology Lab
  • Ryder Architecture - Bioprocess Innovation Centre UK Laboratories

Innovative Workspace Design

This award is open to advisers, developers, occupiers, architects, and designers that can provide solid evidence that they have enabled the creation of the most functional and productive workspace specific to life science buildings.

Winner: BondBryan:Fairhursts with Advanced Research Clusters - Lumen

Finalists:

  • Arup - One Triton Square: A Workplace for Science in Motion
  • Bogle Architects - Mephared II
  • Sciopolis - 1 Portal Way, North Acton

Life Science Icon Award

Winner: Ed Hayden, Science Sector Leader, Ridge and Partners

Role-agnostic, the Life Science Icon Award recognises an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the design, development, investment and management of real estate that serves the life sciences sector.

Net Zero Carbon Impact Award

This award will celebrate either an innovative development project or an effective corporate carbon reduction programme in the development of life science facilities, with an outstanding impact on carbon emissions.

Winner: Arup - One Triton Square Life Sciences: Delivering Carbon Reduction Through Reuse and Adaptation

Finalist:

  • White Arkitekter - Lumi

Project of the Year

This project of the year award honours an outstanding life sciences development that exemplifies excellence in design, innovation, sustainability and impact. Open to any project completed within the last 2 years, this category seeks to celebrate the best of UK development and construction, rewarding high standards of work and projects that have made significant contributions to the sector, setting new standards for the built environment.

Winner: NBBJ - Life and Mind Building, University of Oxford

Finalists:

  • Bogle Architects - Mephared II
  • BondBryan:Fairhursts and Advanced Research Clusters - Lumen
  • CPW - Charnwood Campus, Building 28
  • HLM Architects - London Institute for Healthcare Engineering
  • McLaughlin & Harvey in collaboration with Breakthrough Properties, Niazi Roden, Thornton Tomasetti, K J Tait - Trinity by Breakthrough
  • Ryder Architecture - Bioprocess Innovation Centre UK Laboratories
  • Sciopolis - 1 Portal Way, North Acton
  • Sisk - Project Borealis Fujifilm
  • White Arkitekter - Lumi

Social Value & Community Impact Award

This category celebrates projects that deliver meaningful and measurable social value while fostering positive impacts within their communities. These projects for beyond economic outcomes to focus on improving the lives and prospects of the communities that live close to the project area.

Winner: Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst - Embedding Community Impact Into the Operation of the Life Sciences Campus

Finalists:

  • Morgan Lovell - Riverlabs
  • Morgan Sindall - 17 Columbus Courtyard’s Social Value and Community Impact
  • Socius & Aviva Capital Partners - London Cancer Hub, Sutton
  • Winchester City Council - Solar and Battery Installation: Use and Maintenance Agreement

Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award

Life Science facilities and laboratories are often energy-intensive, rely on complex supply chains, and demand precision in controlled environments - all of which can strain natural resources and contribute to carbon emissions.

Winner: NBBJ - Life and Mind Building, University of Oxford

Finalists:

  • Direk - D-Xpert Life Science
  • King Abdullah University of Science and Technology - KAUST Coral Nursery

Technology & Innovation Impact Award

This category celebrates the transformative use of technology and innovation in life science development. It recognises projects that harness cutting-edge solutions to enhance delivery, functionality, efficiency, and sustainability within life science and research facilities. From advanced building systems and digital integration to enhanced user experience from the application of smart technology.

Winner: Sisk - Integrated Digital Delivery

Finalist:

  • Locale - 20 Years of Measurable Impact: PropTech Innovation at Scale