Challenge
Moderna, a global biotechnology and pharmaceutical company, embarked on establishing its state-of-the-art UK home, the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC), at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. While the Clinical R&D facility's core purpose was highly technical – encompassing labs for clinical assay development – the challenge for Tétris was to design and build the crucial office and amenity spaces within this complex.
The goal was to create a modern, collaborative workplace that would not only embody Moderna’s innovative corporate identity but also provide a supportive and inspiring environment for the scientists, researchers, and staff working to deliver Moderna’s mission. This required a design that could be seamlessly integrated within a new-build shell that also houses prefabricated modular laboratories, presenting unique structural, acoustic, and logistical complexities.
Solution
Building on the strong relationship from Moderna's temporary office project, Tétris delivered a comprehensive design and build solution. With an ambitious timeline as the greatest risk, the team worked closely with JLL colleagues and implemented fast-track strategies. The Tétris team assisted the Moderna project team to deliver the design and construction activities, working closely with the landlord design and construction teams – proving essential to meeting deadlines.
Integrated design for a complex shell
The project's primary technical challenge was its "shell and core" nature. Tétris was tasked with fitting out the office space within a structure that wasn't a typical commercial building. The team provided expert engineering solutions to several complex issues, including:
- Redesigning steelwork to support heavy plant equipment on a soft-shell roof.
- Integrating office space with modular labs and 2.5m ceiling void, managing services routing and acoustic separation.
- Engineering creative details for a 70mm expansion joint between two buildings to accommodate movement between two separate buildings without compromising design or function.
- Managing site logistics while labs remained operational during the final fit-out stages.
A human-centric, values-driven design inspired by mRNA
Beyond technical solutions, the design centred on people. Tétris created a bespoke workspace that reflects Moderna's values while supporting team wellbeing and productivity. The design concept draws directly from Moderna's mission: "to deliver the greatest possible impact to people through mRNA medicines." Just as mRNA carries information essential for function, each area of the floor plan is designed to express the company’s values – with spaces working together like elements of a connected whole.
Each space type was designed around Moderna's core values:
- bold reception areas,
- collaborative common spaces,
- curious open plan zones,
- relentless meeting rooms.
The concept comes alive through details like the feature lighting along corridors, designed to resemble mRNA strands when viewed from the side – a subtle but powerful reminder of the innovative work taking place within.
A proactive approach to sustainability
In collaboration with JLL's Sustainability Consulting team, the project was designed to meet stringent environmental standards from the outset. This proactive approach ensured that LEED design criteria were integrated early, aligning with Moderna’s corporate sustainability strategy.
The result
The result is a high-performance workspace, delivered on time to meet the client's critical operational deadlines and on track to achieve LEED Silver certification. It expertly navigates complex technical requirements while putting the human experience first. By creating a high-quality office environment, Tétris has provided a foundation that enables Moderna's scientists and researchers to focus on their work in advancing mRNA science.
This project showcases the team’s ability to deliver sophisticated, tailored solutions in even the most demanding and technically challenging environments, turning a vision into a world-class reality.
Looking to create a workplace that inspires innovation in science or technology?
Get in touch with our Tétris design and build experts today.
