Transforming Pathology Services in Southwark

Housed in a former WeWork building on Blackfriars Road, Synnovis’s hub is one of the largest, purpose-built pathology laboratories in the UK. Featuring cutting-edge technology, it processes around 70 per cent of all pathology activity currently conducted by Synnovis’s and serves a patient population of almost two million. Synnovis’s chose Mace Interiors to deliver a combination of CL2 and CL3 laboratory spaces across 10 floors, with associated write-up, meeting, administration and reporting rooms as well as social spaces for staff.

Early design involvement allowed the team to incorporate sustainable building practices, including a prefabrication strategy for material efficiency. In total 96% of refurbishment waste has been recycled or reused and employed schemes like the Mace Swap Shop for welfare equipment.

The fitout of the existing building provides CL2 and CL3 laboratory spaces across 10 floors. The team from Mace consolidated 89 laboratories into one hub, freeing up 6,000 square metres of NHS real estate - equivalent to more than 150 operating theatres. The enhanced operational efficiency enables Synnovis's partners to repurpose space for other critical patient services.

The existing glazed roof area was rebuilt to provide additional administration space, and modifications to the external facade mean the space can now accommodate openings for oversized equipment replacement and meets the enhanced ventilation requirements for CL3 laboratories. What’s more, a 24- hour specimen delivery area and Telelift system ensure continuous sample processing, significantly reducing pathology services times.

To ensure a smooth delivery process, our team leveraged and formed key relationships. Mace engaged UK power networks (UKPN) for the connection of TX rooms, UPS rooms and MV/HV panels, fundamental in preventing disruption to the project and the local community throughout works.