Building a place for bright minds at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus

The Client:  Harwell Science and Innovation Campus

• Spanning 700 acres in Oxfordshire, the campus brings together world-class laboratories, collaborative workspaces, global research centres and a thriving ecosystem of high-tech businesses.
• Harwell is home to over 200 pioneering organisations — including the National Satellite Test Facility, the National Quantum Computing Centre and the European Space Agency.
• Backed by a £300 million investment programme, the campus is delivering state-of-the-art buildings, laboratories and outdoor spaces to realise its ambition of becoming “the world’s smartest square mile.”
• Their occupier acquisition strategy is harnessing the power of placemaking to attract the brightest scientists and engineers worldwide — and the trailblazing organisations that depend on their talent.

The Challenge: Creating a World-Class Pocket Park

When Harwell announced its Campus 600 expansion, three striking new buildings — Dexter, Tech Edge, and Zeta — were commissioned. To ensure the external environment reflected the architectural quality of these buildings, Harwell engaged award-winning landscape designer Adam Frost to conceive a bold landscaping vision.

At the heart of the plan was the transformation of a redundant car park into a Pocket Park — a green oasis offering a place for reflection, relaxation, and interaction within the heart of a busy science campus. However, delivering such a project in a live, high-security environment came with significant challenges:

Technical complexity — The high spec design required precision landscaping and water engineering expertise.

Operational constraints — Work had to be conducted on an active science campus, with minimal disruption to occupiers.

Sustainability goals — The client required tangible biodiversity net gain, sustainable sourcing, and reduced environmental impact.

Unforeseen risks — The site contained hidden underground services and unexpected asbestos contamination.

Harwell needed a Principal Contractor with the expertise, scale, and attention to detail to deliver Adam Frost’s vision while aligning with the campus’s values of quality, sustainability, and safety.

The Solution: Delivering Complex Landscaping with Care

S&C Slatter was appointed as Principal Contractor to realise the Pocket Park vision. Our responsibility extended from site clearance through to final planting, with full accountability for health and safety, logistics, and stakeholder communication.

Full-Service Delivery

We managed all aspects of the project, including:

• Site clearance and groundworks
• Pool and water feature construction
• Installation of kerbs, edgings, and paving
• Hard landscaping including furniture and structures
• Tree pit excavation and topsoiling
• Planting of trees, shrubs, and ornamental beds

By providing a complete service under one contract, Harwell benefitted from seamless coordination, risk mitigation, and single-point accountability.

Sustainability and Quality

Sustainability was embedded throughout the project. We sourced plant stock from local nurseries, reducing transport emissions and “tree miles.” Our team personally selected trees and shrubs to guarantee quality and suitability for the design intent.

Health, Safety, and Live-Site Management

Operating in a live science campus required rigorous planning and execution. We developed a bespoke Construction Phase Plan to integrate with Harwell’s safety protocols.

Key measures included:

• Weekly site checks by our Site Manager
• Monthly audits by our Head of SHEQ
• Emergency procedures aligned with adjoining buildings
• Strict dust, noise, and vibration controls

To minimise disruption, we consolidated deliveries, appointed a traffic marshal, and provided clear communication to building occupants, including 48 hours’ notice of significant activities.

Overcoming Unexpected Challenges

During excavation, we discovered undocumented underground services. Our team carried out a full verification and mapping exercise to avoid future risks. Later, asbestos was found buried within the site, despite previous assessments. We immediately engaged licensed specialists to remove it safely, ensuring full compliance with health and safety standards.

These proactive steps enabled the project to continue without delays or risk to occupiers.

The Results: A Landmark Space for Harwell

The completed Pocket Park has become a focal point of the campus. Once a disused car park, it is now a vibrant green space that enhances both appeal to potential occupiers and quality of life for the campus community.

Placemaking impact — A welcoming, high-quality public open space that strengthens Harwell’s appeal to prospective tenants and their ability to attract talent.

Biodiversity net gain — A rich planting scheme that improves ecological value and nurtures wildlife.

Wellbeing and mindfulness — A peaceful environment where scientists and staff can take breaks, reflect, and recharge.

Safe, compliant delivery — Completed safely, on budget, and without disruption to the live science campus.

Sustainable outcomes — Locally sourced planting and reduced site emissions contribute to Harwell’s sustainability goals.

The Pocket Park is not only delivering on its original brief but has become a symbol of Harwell’s wider commitment to creating the best possible environment for innovation and collaboration.

“I’d like to express my sincere thanks to yourselves. The Landscaping across all four schemes looks incredible and everyone involved should be very proud of it. I look forward to opening the Pocket Park so the campus can start enjoying it.”

Joe McCoy, Apprentice Chartered Surveyor – ARC | Advanced Research Clusters (Harwell Science & Innovation Campus)