17 September 2026 | Sciopolis Base One, London
🤝 Connecting the laboratory community
The I2SL UK Chapter Summer Reception & AGM was a fantastic evening, bringing together members and friends of the laboratory community to connect, learn and share ideas on the future of sustainable laboratory environments.
Hosted at Sciopolis Base One in London, the event welcomed professionals from across the science, laboratory, engineering, design and construction sectors. As always, one of the biggest benefits of the evening was the opportunity to bring together people from different parts of the industry to exchange experiences, discuss challenges and explore opportunities for collaboration.
🌱 Sustainability through a practical lens
A consistent theme throughout the evening was how the sector can continue to improve the sustainability of laboratories while maintaining the performance, flexibility and safety that modern research demands.
One of the standout presentations came from Charlie Mitchell, who shared the story behind Sciopolis Base One and its refreshingly practical approach to sustainable laboratory delivery. The project transformed an existing office building into high-quality, flexible laboratory space for emerging science and technology businesses, challenging the assumption that new facilities always require new buildings.
At the heart of the project was a simple philosophy: reuse, repurpose and recycle wherever possible. Rather than replacing systems, furniture and equipment unnecessarily, the team focused investment where it would deliver the greatest value for occupiers. The result is a flexible laboratory environment that reduces waste and embodied carbon while providing space that meets the needs of growing science and technology companies.
The presentation sparked plenty of discussion and served as a valuable reminder that some of the most effective sustainability solutions can also be the most pragmatic.
🔬 Looking beyond design to laboratory operations
The evening also highlighted the importance of considering sustainability throughout a laboratory's entire lifecycle, not just during design and construction.
John Anderson and Zuzanna Rydz from Imperial College London shared insights from their work across a large and complex laboratory estate, demonstrating how operational practices and user behaviour are just as important as the physical environment itself. Their presentation reinforced the need for the sector to take a holistic view of sustainability, ensuring that high-performing facilities continue to operate efficiently long after they have been delivered.
Additional perspectives were provided by Tracy D'Souza and Shaun Serridge, who explored lessons learned from laboratory delivery, engineering challenges and the importance of designing adaptable facilities that can evolve alongside scientific research.
📊 Progress on the I2SL UK Laboratory Benchmarking Tool
Attendees also received an update on the development of the I2SL UK Laboratory Benchmarking Tool.
There was strong interest from delegates in the progress being made and the potential for the tool to help organisations better understand the operational performance of their laboratories. By enabling more consistent measurement and comparison across the sector, the initiative has the potential to support informed decision-making and drive continuous improvement in laboratory sustainability and efficiency.
💬 Building connections across the laboratory community
Alongside the formal presentations, the event provided plenty of opportunities for networking and discussion. It was particularly encouraging to see a mix of familiar faces and first-time attendees, reflecting the continued growth of the I2SL UK Chapter and the increasing interest in creating more sustainable environments for science.
The conversations throughout the evening highlighted the willingness of organisations across the sector to share knowledge, learn from one another and work collaboratively to address common challenges.
🙏 Thank you
A huge thank you to Sciopolis for hosting the event, SB Laboratories for their sponsorship, and all of our speakers for generously sharing their time, expertise and insights.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussions. The enthusiasm, engagement and collaboration on display were a great reminder of the strength of the UK laboratory community.
🖐️ Get involved
As the I2SL UK Chapter continues to grow, we're always keen to hear from members and the wider laboratory community. If you have ideas for future event topics, speakers, venues, site visits or case studies, we'd love to hear from you. The chapter is shaped by its members, and your suggestions help ensure our events continue to address the issues and opportunities that matter most to the sector.
Interested in getting involved? We'd love to hear your ideas for future events, speakers, venues and discussion topics. Please get in touch with the committee and help shape the future programme of the I2SL UK Chapter.
We look forward to seeing you at the next I2SL UK Chapter event.
