Project Overview
This project for NIAB EMR involved a site-wide redevelopment at their East Malling Site to enhance the company’s current operations and improve the working conditions for the employees at the site.
The addition of purpose-built glasshouses helps to attract and retain the highest calibre of researchers and students.
The facilities buildings provide a first-class environment to meet and exchange ideas.
To prepare the site, the initial work comprised the demolition of existing green houses, glass houses, a cold store, and other redundant structures. The facilities buildings constructed in their place included a reception, office space (including areas for collaborative working), meeting rooms, staff break-out areas and ancillary spaces such as a store and plant room.
Facilities Building 1 also provided a new winery, complete with fermentation tanks, a wine cellar, dry goods store, laboratories, and a clean room. The second building houses cold stores, growth rooms, and a potting facility.
The scheme also includes the construction of four new glass houses.
The modular glasshouses comprise safety glass set within an aluminium frame to maximise net solar gain, whilst minimising the impact of shading. Designed by leading specialist Cambridge HOK, the glass houses have been carefully developed to suit siting, shadow analysis, topography, functional research, and growth requirements, which are all part of the sustainable intensification process.
A new car parking area was also provided (complete with disabled spaces, electric vehicle charging points and covered cycle storage), in close proximity to the new Facilities buildings main entrance. Other site wide improvements included new security fencing, gates, rising arm barrier and bollards, to control safety and security of vehicle and personnel movements.
Emma Easton, Partner, Head of NIAB Glasshouse Facilities
“The redevelopment project was for the building of several different specifications of glasshouse plant growing facilities. This project was carried out on a site where NIAB operations needed to carry on throughout the length of the project. SDC took the time to understand what NIAB needed from the project and worked along side us well. Any issues were detailed and discussed in weekly meetings team meetings and solutions were found. All logical information provided by SDC was clear and there were clear lines of communication.”
Core Team
Andy Shiner
Board Director
Andy embarked on a career in construction at 18, starting with a carpentry apprenticeship. During three years with local carpentry firms, he gained experience erecting timber frames and honed first and second fix carpentry skills, developing a strong foundation in building finishes and trade collaboration.
In 2008, Andy transitioned to site management, joining SDC Builders Ltd as an Assistant Site Manager while pursuing a part-time Foundation Degree in Construction Management. Working on complex projects valued at up to £20m, he developed skills in logistics, programming, and health and safety. He was promoted to Site Manager in 2010, managing notable projects for clients such as Babraham Bioscience Technologies and the University of Cambridge.
By 2015, Andy had advanced to the roles of Construction Manager and then Contracts Manager, overseeing multiple projects with a combined value of up to £50m. His role expanded to include pre-construction planning, financial oversight, and post-occupancy responsibilities. In 2018, he became a Project Director, contributing to company-wide decision-making before joining SDC’s Board of Directors in 2020.
As a Board Director, Andy oversees the delivery of three or four projects simultaneously, guiding teams through tender preparation, construction, and completion. His extensive experience working on-site enables him to effectively support site staff and gain a comprehensive understanding of their needs. Andy also leads strategic initiatives, mentors staff and manages the key Plant Hire department. Building and maintaining client relationships is a central focus, supporting the company’s high rate of repeat business, which accounts for 80% of turnover.
Chris Beer
Design Manager
Matt Wells
Planning Manager
