Cambridge Success Stories
Last year, we completed a project converting 19th-century university laboratories into offices for a pharmaceutical research company. The building retained its original features – cast iron columns, wooden floors, and windows that actually opened.
The problem, though, was to retain the academic nature of the building while ensuring it fulfilled its role as a commercial space. The conservation officers wanted to preserve the “authentic research environment atmosphere.” The client required facilities to carry out million-pound experiments. Solution? Restore original features, discreetly upgrade, and design contemporary extensions that complement rather than detract from the historic areas.
Another project we carried out involved a software company, whose premises we refurbished in old college buildings near Parker’s Piece. The client required creative office space capable of attracting top personnel from technology companies in London. However, Cambridge’s planning regulations prohibited exterior changes, and listed building consent restricted interior changes. We created inspirational office space within historic constraints, showing that heritage actually adds value, not limitation, to contemporary office design.
What Cambridge Clients Say About Us
“Worried we couldn’t deliver our vision for state-of-the-art research facilities within Cambridge’s heritage constraints, Paradigm’s expertise ensured we could deliver our vision. Their knowledge of Cambridge’s regulations allowed us to deliver facilities that exceed our own London expectations.”
This is what a biotech company’s director said, whose offices we completed at the Science Park last year.
Another client, a technology company’s founder, said:
“London developers promise the world but deliver a set of basic offices. Paradigm understands what Cambridge businesses require – facilities that match the city’s reputation for intellect, not just a space with a desk and good internet access.”
Cambridge’s Innovation Future
The university’s world reputation for excellence continues to attract global companies wanting to establish European research headquarters. American biotech companies, Asian technology companies, European pharmaceutical companies – companies requiring world-class facilities with heritage character.
East West Rail will greatly improve the connectivity of Cambridge. Links to Oxford will provide opportunities for academic collaborations, and better connections to London will make Cambridge a more accessible city for international businesses.
Property prices will increase further, but Cambridge’s intellectual capital is worth the premium for companies requiring the best staff.
Ongoing projects include several international research relocations, companies choosing Cambridge over London for access to university expertise, European companies looking for a base for their UK operations, and American startups looking for a base for their international headquarters, where they can innovate seriously.
