Project Overview
The construction of Barton House provided Abingdon Science Park with a new laboratory and office building, adding 25,600 sq ft of purpose-built accommodation to further future-proof the cluster of science and technology businesses established within the park.
The new development has capacity to accommodate up to four tenants across two floors and boasts communal areas and café space to encourage collaboration.
The building; the structural grids, floor loadings, servicing, and ceiling heights were considered to provide highly adaptable space in the long term.
The design of the building also increased open space and light, which is fundamental to modern working environments and talent retention. A BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ exhibits the structure’s sustainable design and construction.
The building itself is constructed from a steel frame with pre-cast concrete slabs and a rooftop plant room enclosed in louvres.
The front entrance boasts a feature green wall, and the remaining exterior is adorned with aluminium rainscreen cladding and curtain walling. Internally, SDC fit out the building to CAT A standard, suitable for tenants to customise and finish.
Environmental consideration took place throughout the project.
Preparatory work for the project included tree removal, services diversion from a mobile phone tower, and groundworks. with site-wide landscaping.
Maxine Bampton, Health and Safety Officer and Facilities Manager for Akamis Bio Ltd
“We have been very fortunate to have had SDC as the contractors working on Barton House which is next to our building. Even before planning permission was finalised their communication on planned events was in place. This enabled us to raise our concerns to which they were very reactive, supportive, and resolved our problems.”
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.
Raymond Renkel
Construction Manager
Andrew Clark
Commercial Manager
Andrew has worked at SDC since 1995 and is one of the longest serving members of the company, where he has progressed to Project Commercial Director. He is a valued and trusted member of the team with significant industry experience. Andrew has contributed to a vast range of projects across Oxford and Cambridge, where he is responsible for providing commercial leadership, strategic commercial direction and support to the project team.
Richard Smith
Commercial Manager
Matt Stevens
Senior Design Manager
Matt has been a part of SDC since 2007 and is an experienced and adaptable Senior Project Design Manager, well-versed in SDC’s collaborative and solution-driven approach. He actively engages in the pre-construction phase and stays involved throughout the project’s completion. With his broad industry experience, Matt excels at uniting the design development process, collaborating closely with both the client’s team and SDC’s internal design team to ensure the original design vision is preserved.
Matt Wells
Planning Manager
