Advanced Research Centre (ARC), University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow, founded in 1451, has a long history of extraordinary scientific and academic achievement. Although home to seven Nobel laureates and with nearly 600 years of research experience, the university is not stuck in the past.

With its Advanced Research Centre (ARC), the University set out to create a space that supports cross-disciplinary collaboration and responds to the complex research challenges of today. The ARC brings together researchers from across the campus to spark innovation in fields ranging from quantum physics and life sciences to advanced technologies and Creative Humanities.

The ARC occupies four floors of research space, each with 1,000 square meters of laboratories that serve teams with widely varying needs. The University needed a single worktop solution that could perform reliably in all environments rather than relying on multiple surface types.

This requirement became a defining factor in the project. The worktops had to be durable, chemically resistant and capable of withstanding intensive daily use. Just as important, they needed to be stable and predictable over time so the facility could adapt as research directions shift.

These demands led the design team to Trespa® TopLab® PLUS.

Trespa^® TopLab^® PLUS was chosen for every laboratory in the ARC. The material’s ability to support research across multiple disciplines made it a natural fit for a facility built on flexibility.

Key advantages included:

• Reliable durability: The worktops can withstand mechanical stress and heavy use, supporting equipment and workflow changes without performance loss.
• Chemical and cleaning resistance: Trespa’s Electron Beam Curing ( EBC) technology provides protection in wet lab environments where harsh substances and frequent cleaning are routine.
• Future proof performance: The stability of Trespa^® TopLab^® PLUS ensures that laboratories remain functional as research evolves.

ALS Labs Ltd, a leading UK manufacturer of laboratory furniture, produced and installed all systems for the ARC. The company has more than 25 years of experience with Trespa^® TopLab^® products and uses them in most of its projects.

Managing Director Gary Sprawling notes: “They are quite simply the gold standard. We use them in 90 percent of our work because we know exactly how the product will perform.”

For the ARC, ALS developed a modular system featuring mobile workbenches, adjustable shelving and suspended utilities. Trespa^® TopLab^® PLUS was used in 20 mm thickness for worktops and 16 mm for shelving, all in a unified white finish with black edges to create a clean and consistent look across the research floors.

More than a year after opening, the ARC has established itself as a dynamic platform for interdisciplinary research. Feedback from users confirms that Trespa^® TopLab^® PLUS supports the full spectrum of activities taking place within the building while standing up to daily wear and long-term demands.

By choosing one durable, high performing worktop material for every laboratory, the University of Glasgow created a facility ready to support new discoveries for years to come