This building has been designed to replace an existing outdated portal framed ‘shed’ and provide a flexible and high quality environment for its future users. The majority of the floor plan provides a large open-plan laboratory space, which is designed to be subdivided according to future requirements. Ancillary spaces located to the sides provide office, meeting, social and storage accommodation.
The structure is a braced glulam frame and allows for a relatively wide clear span, acts as the primary load bearing element, and serves to visually subdivide the spaces through its even and consistent spacing through the building. Two large gabion walls act as visual barriers between the primary entrance and associated accommodation to the north-west and external storage areas to the south-east.
The entrance lobby is oversized to accommodate exhibitions and the primary meeting room, accessed via an internal bridge, is located to provide views into the laboratory. An external terrace at first floor level provides social space for the buildings users and overlooks the external flumes on site.
The structure is a braced glulam frame and allows for a relatively wide clear span, acts as the primary load bearing element, and serves to visually subdivide the spaces through its even and consistent spacing through the building. Two large gabion walls act as visual barriers between the primary entrance and associated accommodation to the north-west and external storage areas to the south-east.
The entrance lobby is oversized to accommodate exhibitions and the primary meeting room, accessed via an internal bridge, is located to provide views into the laboratory. An external terrace at first floor level provides social space for the buildings users and overlooks the external flumes on site.