At the heart of the facility is a world-first Containment Level 2 (CL2) laboratory combining chemistry and microbiology processes within a single, connected space, a configuration widely considered technically incompatible prior to this project.

Supported by over £2 million of specialist equipment and an exceptionally sophisticated building services strategy, the laboratory required meticulous spatial and technical planning to house these disciplines and to actively encourage conversation and collaboration between teams driving scientific discovery. Extensive engagement with users was carried out to ensure that the change to a more collaborative working environment was allied to their research requirements.

Established in 2024, AIME is a unique cross-disciplinary institute developing novel membranes for use across a broad range of vital applications, from drug discovery to water purification. Backed by a £10 million grant from Research England, the institute brings together world-leading expertise in membrane biology, polymer chemistry and engineering, collaborating with private sector partners.. Bruntwood SciTech supports the institute through the provision of specialised laboratory space, furthering biotech investment in Birmingham and the wider Midlands.

• Transparency and visibility: Large internal windows reveal live research activity, demystifying science and strengthening the institute's role as a showcase for future students and commercial partners
• Collaborative neighbourhoods: Open-plan zones create a considered balance between focused working and interdisciplinary exchange, with the deliberate positioning of major equipment around the periphery establishing natural routes and sightlines across the space
• Inclusive by design: Height-adjustable workstations, step-free access and fully integrated accessibility features ensure the environment is functional and welcoming for all
• Entrance sequence: Careful placement of spaces for PPE and washing facilities created an entrance sequence that is both efficient and effective in ensuring researchers, staff and visitors observe safety requirements.

The design was developed through an intensive co-design process, with researchers directly mapping their equipment, workflows and interdependencies to ensure precise alignment between spatial design and scientific operation.

Mark Evans, Director of Architecture at Broadway who led the AIME project for the practice commented:

"The AIME laboratory is a genuinely exceptional project, one that presented real technical complexity and demanded an equally rigorous design response. Combining Containment Level 2 chemistry and microbiology within a single, open research environment is a world first, and achieving it required both deep scientific understanding and a precise, collaborative approach to spatial planning.

Our longstanding relationship with Aston University means we understand not just the technical requirements of its research estate, but the wider ambitions of the institution to attract talent, foster partnerships and position itself at the forefront of global science.

Drawing on our experience designing science, technology and life science facilities across the world, we are proud to have delivered a facility that sets a new standard, not only for membrane research, but for how the research environments of the future can and should be designed."