CamLIFE Campus, Cambridge

CamLIFE is a major new life sciences and innovation campus in Cambridge, providing approximately 245,000 sq ft of workspace across a 42-acre development for organisations spanning biotech, healthcare, fintech and research sectors.

As part of the development, The Light Lab were appointed to deliver their bespoke illuminated handrail system, Glowrail, across the feature staircases within Buildings 1, 2 and 3. Working to the original lighting design by 18 Degrees alongside the interior design vision developed by Gensler, the system was designed to integrate seamlessly into the contemporary architectural language of the campus interiors.

The bespoke Glowrail installation combined precision-crafted American walnut handrails with custom powder-coated brackets and fully integrated LED lighting, creating a warm and refined architectural feature throughout the stair environments. Careful consideration was given to every detail to ensure the handrail system complemented the surrounding material palette, including bespoke timber panelling, vertical timber slat walls and the exposed structural staircase elements.

Due to the complexity of the installation interfaces and the variety of fixing substrates involved, close collaboration between all project trades was essential throughout the programme. Taunton Fabrications were responsible for the design, manufacture and installation of the feature stair structures, with The Light Lab working closely alongside their team, as well as Wates Construction and the wider consultant team, to coordinate the integration of the illuminated handrail system into the architectural steelwork and timber finishes.

The Light Lab’s specialist installation team delivered the complete Glowrail installation across all three staircases, ensuring the lighting details, fixing arrangements and finishing elements aligned precisely with the wider staircase package. Multiple bespoke fixing methods were incorporated throughout the project to maintain the clean visual appearance intended by the design team while achieving the practical tolerances required on site.

The completed result delivers both functional architectural lighting and a striking visual feature, with the illuminated walnut handrails contributing warmth, depth and a premium finish to the interior spaces throughout the CamLIFE campus.

“Capital Park was a great example of what can be achieved when the right teams are involved early and work together properly. The feature stairs had a lot of interfaces to get right, from the structural steelwork through to the timber battens, handrails and integrated lighting, so communication and coordination with Wates, The Light Lab and the wider design team was key.

The Light Lab were great to work with throughout the project. Their clear and timely communication helped keep everything running smoothly, ensuring the lighting and handrail details were properly coordinated with our steelwork, fixing arrangements and the surrounding timber finishes without compromising the final look.

By developing the details through 3D modelling, pre-assembling the stairs in our off-site build workshop and working closely with the specialist finishing trades, we were able to deliver a package that went together well on site and achieved the high-end architectural finish the project demanded.”

— Dave Baverstock, Director of Contracts