The Oxford Trust has officially broken ground on its new Aspen Building at the Wood Centre for Innovation in Headington, marking a major milestone in its 40th anniversary year.
The £7 million expansion, delivered by Beard Construction, will provide 17,000 sq ft (1,600 sq m) of high-quality CL II laboratory and office space across two floors. The facility will also feature a STEM resources room to support Science Oxford’s education and engagement programmes.
The investment responds to strong demand from start-up and early-stage grow-on science and tech companies seeking space in the Headington Science Cluster. Once complete, the project is expected to create up to 80 new on-site jobs, in addition to providing employment during construction.
Set in 15 acres of woodland, the Aspen Building will target BREEAM Excellent standards and include photovoltaic roof panels, a green wall, rainwater harvesting, and biodiversity enhancements of at least 10%. The harvested rainwater will supply grey water for toilets and feed the site’s ponds, reducing sewer discharge.
Read more: Green light for The Oxford Trust’s Aspen Building to boost start-up laboratory space in Headington
A groundbreaking ceremony brought together representatives from The Oxford Trust, Beard Construction, ADP Architects and Gleeds, alongside other project partners. Beard was selected through a competitive tender, having previously delivered the existing buildings on the site in 2018–19.
Steve Burgess, chief executive officer of The Oxford Trust, said:
“Today marks a major milestone in The Oxford Trust’s 40-year journey as we celebrate the signing of contracts and the start of construction of our new Aspen Building.
“The facility will offer essential lab and office space for start-up and early stage grow-on science and tech companies, helping to strengthen the Headington Science Cluster and wider innovation ecosystem capabilities.
“A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved. We eagerly anticipate watching this building take shape, ready for occupation in summer next year.”
Dean Averies, Beard Construction’s director, added:
“As a family-owned business, supporting clients who make a positive impact to society and communities in which they’re based means a great deal to us.
“Our team has an exceptional track record of delivering spaces of excellence for learning and innovation across all our operating areas.
“We’re looking forward to working with The Oxford Trust to deliver its vision for spaces that support the thriving science ecosystem that colleagues have supported so well over the years.”
Practical completion is scheduled for early summer 2026, with lab and office spaces available for pre-let, offering design flexibility for incoming tenants.
The existing Linden Building at the Wood Centre is already home to pioneering science and tech companies including Bioarchitech, DJS Antibodies, PicturaBio, Helio Display Materials, Jack Fertility and Lumai, alongside Barclays Eagle Labs incubator and the Oxford Hospital Charity, collectively employing nearly 200 people.
Founded in 1985 by Sir Martin and Lady Audrey Wood, The Oxford Trust has played a pivotal role in supporting science-based innovation in the region through its Science Oxford programmes and management of innovation spaces, including the Wood Centre for Innovation and the Oxford Centre for Innovation.
The Aspen Building project team includes ADP Architects, Carter Jonas, BSG Ecology, Landshape, Glanville, Gleeds, Sylva Trees and CPW.
