Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology Faculty
- Client
- University of Cambridge
- Expertise
- Architecture
- Acoustics
- Landscape Architecture
- Completion
- 2016
- Size
- 11,000 sq m
- Cost
- £42m
A new building bringing together researchers from different locations working in the fields of molecular and microbiology, materials and reaction engineering, sensor and biosensor and magnetic resonance research to promote collaboration and foster interdisciplinary working among researchers and students.
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Laboratories wrap around a ‘researchers’ hub’ which contains academic offices, teaching and social space and library, together with central imaging support and pilot plant space to allow larger scale installations. The building celebrates the value of the ‘in between’ space with projecting oriels creating niches where small groups can gather adjacent to the laboratory. A strong sense of openness is achieved throughout, removing physical barriers between activities and the silo mindset that they foster. The laboratories enjoy a continuous horizontal glazed cloister window providing views and balanced light across the work areas.
The entire facility is treated as a Cat 2 (BSL 2) laboratory space to allow the biological work to be undertaken in any part of the research facility along with a Cat 3 (BSL 3) laboratory suite, contained within the facility for work with Home Office notifiable pathogens.
