South Cambridge Science Centre
Mainer Associates was appointed by Bowmer & Kirkland to deliver the Whole Life Carbon Assessment and Carbon Management for Dales Manor in Cambridge, using our in-house web platform, CarbonCentric. The tool streamlined material and emissions data across the supply chain, helping achieve the targeted carbon intensity of 876 kgCO₂e/m².
The project, known as the South Cambridge Science Centre (SCSC), is a state-of-the-art R&D facility in Sawston, just six miles from Cambridge. Phase one included a 145,000 sq ft, three-storey building with extensive car and bike parking, completed in early 2025. Phase two will add another 45,000 sq ft, strengthening Dales Manor’s position as a major life sciences hub.
Designed for Net Zero Carbon operation, the development targets BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’.
Image Source: South Cambridge Science Centre
Image Source: South Cambridge Science Centre
Highlights
Client
Bowmer & Kirkland
Location
Cambridge, East
Specification
Office & Laboratory
Services
Whole Life Carbon Assessment, CarbonCentric
Featured
CarbonCentric is the go-to app for real time documentation of material quantities. With it, you can easily document the amount, type and transportation distance of materials related to your construction project.
CarbonCentric Case Study: South Cambridge Science Centre
Client: Bowmer & Kirkland
Location: Sawston, Cambridge
Role: Carbon Reduction Specialist
Services: Whole Life Carbon Assessment, Carbon Management
Tools Used: CarbonCentric Application and Dashboard
Overview
Mainer Associates is proud to lead the Whole Life Carbon Assessment and Carbon Management strategy for the South Cambridge Science Centre (SCSC), a flagship R&D development at Dales Manor, just six miles south of Cambridge.
The development is being delivered in two phases:
Phase One: A 145,000 sq ft, three-storey life sciences facility, due for completion in early 2025.
Phase Two: An additional 45,000 sq ft of lab-enabled space to expand the park’s life sciences capacity.
The project is designed to operate at Net Zero Carbon, with targets of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’, reinforcing Dales Manor’s ambition to become a leading science and innovation cluster.
CarbonCentric in Action
Mainer Associates deployed its in-house CarbonCentric platform to manage, visualise, and reduce carbon emissions across the design and construction process. Built specifically for whole life carbon analysis, the web-based tool enabled:
Centralised data capture from design consultants, contractors, and suppliers
Live tracking of embodied and operational carbon performance
Scenario testing to compare material and system alternatives
Automated benchmarking against RIBA 2030 and UKGBC targets
Through CarbonCentric, we were able to streamline emissions data across the supply chain, ensuring consistency, transparency, and actionable insights throughout the project.
Achieving Targeted Carbon Performance
The development has been modelled to achieve a Whole Life Carbon intensity of 876 kgCO₂e/m², a significant achievement for a high-spec laboratory building of this scale.
This was made possible by:
Early-stage material optimisation guided by CarbonCentric
Efficient structural and façade systems
Integration of low-carbon MEP design
A futureproofed energy strategy supporting operational Net Zero
The data-led approach not only supports compliance but empowers better decisions - on cost, performance, and long-term sustainability.
Conclusion
The South Cambridge Science Centre demonstrates how digital carbon management tools can unlock high-impact sustainability outcomes, even in complex, energy-intensive sectors like life sciences. Mainer Associates’ use of CarbonCentric ensured accurate forecasting, robust reporting, and real-world reductions - helping the client meet ambitious environmental goals without compromising on function or flexibility.
Looking to decarbonise your next R&D or lab project? Contact Mainer Associates to learn how CarbonCentric can support your carbon and compliance strategy from day one.