A manufacturer in Stoke has completed an ambitious 10-month project to create bespoke furniture for University of Oxford’s brand new Life and Mind building.
LiDR Contract Furniture, based on Campbell Road, secured the £1.1million contract to create bespoke joinery for Wates Construction at the new building – which has been recognized by CNN as one of 11 architectural projects set to change the world in 2025.
The 26,000 sq m building is the largest in the university’s history and will become the new home for the Departments of Biology and Experimental Psychology. It is due to officially open in Autumn 2025.
The building aims to improve the way psychological and biological science is undertaken at Oxford, helping scientists to solve some of the major challenges from around the globe.
LiDR has been using innovative approaches to help create the new furniture, which has seen the business create four new reception counters, banquette and booth seating, study desks and work areas, and display cases and storage.
Eleanor Owen, Director at LiDR, said: “The bespoke joinery at the Life and Mind Building presented a number of challenges such as using new materials and new methods to achieve an ambitious design vision. We rose to those challenges and members of our design and production team came together to find solutions to make what seemed impossible possible, and to deliver a stunning final result - one which every member of staff here at LiDR can feel incredibly proud of.”
Tony Lucey from Wates Construction, added: “This was a very challenging project for all parties involved, the LiDR items were finished to a very high standard.
LiDR’s elements consisted of the supply / manufacture and installation of reception desks, tea points, banquette seating booths, display cabinets and bespoke furniture items.
