UKSPA Conference 2008 Laboratories for the Future East Midland Conference Centre, University Park, Nottingham Incubator Buildings in Science Parks – special needs and design solutions by Brian Griffin, Architect, laboratory specialist and author

USER NEEDSDESIGN SOLUTIONS Security covered car parking and stores delivery zone next to goods lift Basement car park, separate store rooms for each tenant, special equipment rooms, noisy equipment.

USER NEEDSDESIGN SOLUTIONS Shared reception, audio visual presentation, cafeteria and meeting rooms. All shared spaces at ground floor.

USER NEEDSDESIGN SOLUTIONS Prospective tenants need to be shown what is available, what services and a demonstration lab fitout. Demonstration suite showing movable bench furniture in modular adaptable single or connected suites with peristitial services

USER NEEDSDESIGN SOLUTIONS Quality lighting on the bench, equipment and shelves without 'reflected glare' from luminaires. Indirect lighting from suspended luminaires directing light to a white ceiling.

USER NEEDSDESIGN SOLUTIONS To avoid manual handling of materialsAutomated systems using tracks, pneumatic tube or carousels. Loading the carouselRetrieving supplies

USER NEEDSDESIGN SOLUTIONS Data communication between staff without cables in overhead trays. Accessible cable trays. Wireless technology where possible.

USER NEEDSDESIGN SOLUTIONS To reduce toxic emissions to the environment from fume cupboards. Recirculatory filtration fume cabinets to Euro standards

USER NEEDSDESIGN SOLUTIONS To prevent cross contamination from one laboratory to other laboratories. Decentralised air conditioning to each laboratory – see plan – or chilled beams with individual filtered outside air Four AC units per floor

USER NEEDSDESIGN SOLUTIONS To avoid direct sunlight on sensitive instrumentation and chemicals becoming unstable. Sunshading facade to laboratory windows or internal laboratories Perforated irregular louvres

USER NEEDSDESIGN SOLUTIONS To reduce draughts from HVAC which affect containment in fume cupboards, local exhaust and maintaining negative/positive pressure. Chilled beams which cool by natural convection mixed with filtered fresh air. Saves energy by not requiring balance air.

USER NEEDSDESIGN SOLUTIONS To allow changes in research programmes, technology, staff, budgets etc. Generic laboratories with movable benches serviced from a peristitial service corridor. Typical laboratory floor with the peristitial service corridor outside the wet labs

Other laboratory design solutions

Design for change All design decisions should be made on the premise that the function, space, staff and location will change. One solution is a generic laboratory with a kit of parts system furniture which can be reassembled.

Design generic, not specific The laboratory design should be generic, rather than specific. This typical laboratory module is adaptable to either laboratory workbenches or most of the other functions shown in this plan.

Permanent structures All fixed structures such as stairs, toilets and lifts should not be an obstruction within the open plan laboratory/support/workstations flexible space.

Building energy rating systems Most countries have some form of rating the energy of the building design such as The Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR). A planted roof attracts points for insulation.

Building energy rating systems Most countries have some form of rating the energy of the building design such as The Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR). Onsite wind turbines attracts points for energy generation.

Reticulated services The reticulation of piped services (gases, water etc.) and liquid waste plumbing should not be enclosed in false ceilings as they cannot be identified, maintained, changed or replaced. Gas lines in confined spaces can in time create an explosive mixture.

Energy-efficient designs An awareness of energy efficiency has led to the integration of the principles of ecologically sustainable design. Solar energy generation with photovoltaic panels is a good example.

Laboratory services to the benches I have designed several systems to provide service outlets to movable benches and floor standing equipment with a kit of parts. This is the service spine system. Service spine and bollards Add reagent shelvesAdd movable benches