Manchester Metropolitan University – Science and Engineering Building

The Dalton Building at Manchester Metropolitan University is the largest construction and refurbishment project ever undertaken by the University and represents a major investment in science and engineering laboratories.

Located at the heart of the city-centre campus, the Dalton Building provides a new home for the Faculty of Science and Engineering, supporting teaching and research within a highly serviced facility.

Designed by BDP Architects and named in honour of pioneering scientist John Dalton, the building reflects the University’s ambition to deliver impactful STEM education and research across key strategic areas including health and wellbeing, sustainable energy, advanced materials and manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.

The project required adaptable and high-performing laboratory environments capable of supporting high student numbers, multi-disciplinary use, and intensive daily operation.

Having worked with the University previously, and with extensive experience delivering laboratory furniture for higher-education environments, SB Labs was appointed to manufacture and install laboratory furniture throughout the Dalton Building.

Being Manchester-based and located a short distance from the site enabled close coordination during delivery, supporting efficient logistics and the project’s wider sustainability objectives.

Our scope included furniture for a variety of lab spaces, including teaching laboratories, specialist research spaces, preparation rooms, instrumentation and analytical laboratories, workshops, technical support areas and an open-plan SuperLab.

The SuperLab accommodates up to 200 students and researchers from multiple disciplines and was designed to support intensive, high-throughput teaching. The space is organised into clearly defined zones using consistent, modular benching layouts to maintain clear circulation, effective supervision, and safe working practices at scale.

Durable benching capable of intensive daily use allows the environment to perform as long-term infrastructure, supporting modern practical learning at scale.

Across the building, SB Labs delivered a coordinated furniture package centred around the Exemplaire C-Frame benching system with Corian and Trespa worktops. Suspended cupboards maximise storage while maintaining clear floor space, height-adjustable tables support inclusive teaching, anti-vibration benches accommodate the use of sensitive equipment and tall storage units provide high-capacity storage across teaching and support areas.

The completed facility provides Manchester Metropolitan University with a durable and modern laboratory environment capable of supporting intensive daily use, evolving curricula and long-term research ambitions.

All photos are courtesy of BDP and Nick Caville Photography.