Level Nine Labs
Bio-based catalysts for sustainable, low carbon chemical production
- Location
- Berlin, Germany
- Year
- 2026
- Size
- 400 m²
- Safety level
- Chemical Lab
Level Nine Labs pioneers a novel process to make bio-based chemicals cost competitive, using quantum chemistry to convert wood waste into bioplastics. To facilitate this groundbreaking work, we designed and constructed a 400 m² pilot facility in Berlin-Adlershof, comprising a 200 m² advanced chemistry lab and 200 m² of adjoining office space.
Our engagement began in November 2025 with user analysis workshops to define the project requirements. The first critical step was to deeply understand Level Nine's unique scientific process, defining the necessary lab typologies and associated safety needs like fire regulations. We collaborated closely with their team and chemical reactor vendors to map out material and chemical flows for a layout that zoned a reactor lab, wet chemistry lab, and analytics lab.
Discover
The processes including analytics, catalytic work, chemical analysis, and GCMS workflows needed to be planned within the existing building footprint. We started the design phase, moving through many iterations to arrive at the ideal zoning. A key challenge was accommodating a chemical reactor too large for any standard fume hood, which led us to design and commission a custom, extra-deep unit. Another challenge was designing a safe logistics concept for the large amounts of ethanol required by the reactor. By the end of December, all major components including new, custom, and secondhand equipment were specified and ordered to meet the fast-tracked schedule.
Design
Across the hallway from the labs, the office was designed to foster collaboration. At the client's request, the layout includes plenty of spaces for spontaneous conversations and team meetings. The furniture is designed to be flexible, which means that the layout can be changed and the space can be completely modified according to the requirement. The Open office is divided into Focus work and Collab zone using movable phone booths, this gives the team many modes of working. The movable whiteboards with acoustic panels can also divide the room into two when needed.
Office Expansion
FOUNDATION
Fit-out Complete
Stage 4
Construction began in January, involving modifications to the existing structure - demolishing walls to create a large new office space, as well as reconfiguring the chemistry lab layout and relocating existing furniture to optimize the workflow. The core of this phase was the installation of complex technical infrastructure. The centerpiece was a new 5,000 cubic meter special exhaust ventilation system engineered to support five distinct fume hoods. A major challenge was running a 50 cm pipe through a narrow shaft to the roof, requiring a huge core cut, custom scaffolding built inside the shaft, and five integrated fire safety flaps.
Build
Build Progress
BEFORE
MEP Rough-in
Fit-out Complete
In the buy phase, Smart Lab Architects worked closely with the Level Nine team to select all necessary items. We guided them through the floor plans and suggested furniture for both the lab and the office. Second-hand furniture and equipment was also considered where possible. A key part of the strategy was to make sustainable choices where we could. The reactor set-up was finalised by the Level Nine team after considering the capacity and Fumehood sizes. We configured second-hand lab fume hoods and furniture together with our vendor partner. This allowed us to fully furnish the laboratory with high-quality, pre-owned furniture.
Buy
In February, we held a final assembly sprint to bring the lab and office to life. The entire Level Nine team of about 15 people actively participated in building out their new space. Their proactive support was phenomenal; documentation, risk assessments, and equipment requirements were provided ahead of schedule. Our team also managed the installation of a comprehensive utility network, including deionized and ultra-pure water systems, decentralized vacuum pumps, and a new system to supply four different lab gases. This uniquely collaborative effort was crucial for integrating all elements, from secondhand furniture to complex control software, making the lab fully furnished and equipped by the beginning of March.
Sprint
Finished Office
Final Lab
Reactor Lab
Smart Multi-Vendor Ventilation
To manage five fume hoods from four different manufacturers, we implemented a 5,000 cubic meter smart ventilation system. It measures airflow requirements in real-time and adjusts exhaust power accordingly, creating a highly sustainable and energy-efficient solution that avoids the waste of a 24/7 full-power system.
Custom Reactor Fume Hood
A custom-fabricated fume hood was designed and built specifically to house an oversized chemical reactor. This bespoke solution includes an integrated SCAT chemical waste system, where waste is funneled directly into a safety cabinet below, ensuring maximum safety and functionality for their core equipment.
Circular Lab Furniture
The entire laboratory was equipped using high-quality secondhand furniture and fume hoods sourced via our partner, LabStuff. This circular approach provides significant cost and sustainability benefits. The quality of the repurposed equipment is so high that it is virtually indistinguishable from new, demonstrating that a top-tier research environment can be built affordably and sustainably.
Deployed Technologies
We built the lab during the team's fundraising process and took great care to meet our initial cost estimates. Especially during fundraising and when onboarding new investors, you don't want to tell them in the first meetings that you overspend your budget. Our initial total project cost estimate defined the budget and through continuous cost tracking and optimization, we achieved to be even 12% below this initial budget. This cost includes everything you see on this website, except the expensive and custom ordered lab machines. On the left, you see our per phase time estimate and we achieved time savings across nearly all phases. This chart we transparently report in every bill.
Budget
Key Results
The project team
Emily Sheridan
Co-Founder & CTO
Working with SLA was a fantastic experience. Our renovation required complexity not only in the lab and reactor build-out but also structural alterations to the building's entire ventilation, things we would never have achieved on our own. The final space exceeded our expectations and importantly they insured we became the experts along the way with them ensuring a smooth handover to us. Beyond the output they bring an amazing energy which transferred over to our team and made what could be a massive under taking into a fun project that the whole team can feel apart of while allowing us the space and time to keep building our company during the process. I would recommend them to anyone and hope to work with them again in the future for our next big build!
Sam Tott
Chief of Staff
I can only echo the praise for SLA Ventures, not only a pleasure to work with, but they are the gold standard for turning complex technical revisions into quality, purpose-led infrastructure. Big thanks also to their wide network of specialist partners who work tirelessly behind the scenes to build a space that can scale with our vision. Now, full speed ahead.
Seadna Quigley
Co-Founder & CEO
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