At LTS, we turn complex facility briefs into high-performance, human-centred laboratories that work for people, and for purpose.

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) appointed LTS to lead the transformation of a former call centre warehouse into its new KwaZulu-Natal regional headquarters.

The project included the design of SANBS’s first contemporary laboratory, supported by open-plan offices and a showcase donor centre.

This GMP-compliant facility is more than functional; it’s designed to visualise the full Journey of Blood, linking lab performance with public trust and donor experience.

Challenge

A Warehouse Envelope, A High-Stakes Mission

The challenge was not just spatial — it was cultural. How do you turn a segmented warehouse into a transparent, inclusive facility that meets GMP standards and enhances donor engagement?

The client required a cleanroom Class B environment, with clear visual links across departments, and an integrated experience from donor to diagnostics.

SANBS needed to create a clean, connected, and future-ready laboratory from an existing non-clinical building.

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Approach

Open Flow, Visual Connectivity, GMP Precision

The facility’s internal framework was stripped back and reimagined to allow for visual and physical connectivity across departments.

The laboratory sits at the centre — both spatially and symbolically — creating a sense of openness and cohesion.

The adjacent open-plan offices and donor centre were designed to mirror this philosophy, fostering trust and collaboration throughout the facility.

The client required a cleanroom Class B environment, with clear visual links across departments, and an integrated experience from donor to diagnostics.

LTS used space planning, internal screen tech, and process-led design to create a nucleus laboratory concept.

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Result

A Facility That Performs — and Inspires

This flagship facility sets a new benchmark for blood services in South Africa — combining performance, regulatory compliance, and an inclusive spatial identity.

It brings together science, service, and story — positioning the lab as the heart of the SANBS experience in the region.

The new SANBS Mount Edgecombe facility reflects best-practice laboratory design while celebrating the human mission behind it.

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