As most projects are currently prototypes, there is very little opportunity to test something out before it becomes a live project.
As well as splashbacks, there should be no gaps between lab furniture and lab sinks as dirt can accumulate.The aim is to ensure there’s no surface that can’t be easily reached for cleaning.. Ceilings in labs can help reduce the surfaces for dust to settle on, such as the various high-level services.
The counterargument to this is that the ceiling itself is one large dust trap.In our experience, the ceiling type is dictated by the services; a ceiling can provide a plenum for air distribution at very low air velocity to the room, which is good for labs with a high air change rate, but it can also limit the space for service crossovers and distribution.. One final note is that the colour scheme of a lab can have a big effect on the users, not only from an aesthetic point of view, but also for safety reasons.Making walkways a contrasting colour to work areas can help with circulation around the lab, plus help prevent busy scientists from walking into worktops and dropping samples or chemicals..
Structural requirements.The main issues we have come across for structural engineers have been coordination with services.
There can be many changes throughout the lab design period, particularly with client equipment, and this can result in lots of changes to the services.. Coordinating the services at high level can be difficult, so every effort should be made to reduce beam depths or use castellated beams if this is not possible..
The biggest and most recurring challenge, however, is usually due to new services needing penetrations or alternative routing due to changes to client laboratory equipment.In these projects, Bryden Wood strove to understand the clinical practicalities of the hospital, balancing many stakeholder needs.
At Circle Birmingham, as in any hospital, the key project was excellent and efficient patient care, and Bryden Wood’s approach was to make this as easy as possible for the staff, while creating a welcoming, beautiful environment for patients.This could only be done through constant stakeholder engagement, review and reflection post occupancy.. At Circle Reading, post-occupancy interviews revealed the benefits that engagement provided, while also allowing information for future projects on what worked particularly successfully, and what perhaps needed improvement.
Many comments were made on the quality of the space.Raj Goel, an orthopaedic surgeon working there, commented on the foyer, calling it a great place to work, and commenting that ‘Everything about this place is space,’ ‘There’s nice space everywhere.’.