Sustainable Characteristics for the Design of a Pharmaceutical Lab in Mozambique

Thomas Serruto, Architect, LEED AP BD+C, AECOM
David Tash, Mechanical Engineer, AECOM

Western architects typically bring full measure of familiar technology to bear on the design of laboratories in developing countries. Design of a pharmaceutical Quality Control Laboratory has its challenges. Placement of that laboratory in a country with limited resources presents unique challenges.

AECOM met these by incorporating sustainable features into the building as a response to environmental and economic factors impacting the design that will have applications at home. AECOM is committed to helping national governments and non-governmental organizations around the globe build a world that is safer, more secure, democratic and prosperous. Under the auspices of the United States Agency for International Development (USAid), AECOM designed the National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL) with US Pharmacopeia (USP) as part of a larger program to design and place health clinics throughout the rural areas of Mozambique to combat HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. A part of this health infrastructure receives and disseminates donated pharmaceuticals to these clinics. Mozambique has one distribution center in Zimpeto that will be enlarged as a part of this program and two additional distribution centers in Nampula and Beira. The mission of the NCQL receives samples of the donated pharmaceuticals to test and measure their efficacy.

USAid sited the laboratory in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. The climate in Maputo is sub-tropical with long periods of dry weather with an intense monsoon season. Factors affecting the design of the building include long periods of heat, a support infrastructure that makes maintenance and replacement of equipment problematic, and construction capabilities that encourage enclosures of simple masonry walls coated in stucco.

AECOM incorporated sustainable techniques is order to restrict energy use with passive techniques to simplify the mechanical solution out of necessity. The plan separates office function from the laboratory. This allowed a separated air system for the laboratory so that the common areas and the offices incorporate natural ventilation. The design's primary feature keeps sun off of the walls of the lab while allowing diffuse daylight into the lab. The roof has a wide overhang that works in concert with an open CMU sunscreen common to Mozambique. The laboratory ventilation system designed as a single-pass supply/exhaust with six air changes per hour. Air supply and exhaust controlled by a VAV system. Investigating the use of chilled beams to augment cooling. Rural Health Centers designed for Net Zero energy and water consumption. Distribution Center design uses CFD analysis to maximize design for ambient cooling.

Biographies:

As Associate Principal with a specialty in laboratory design, Thomas has extensive experience in complex, time critical projects and possesses a thorough knowledge of all phases of the design and construction process for laboratories. Mr. Serruto provides design direction and has experience in the design and construction of advanced technology facilities including, pharmaceutical research and manufacturing, chemical, and high energy physics. He has specific expertise regarding sustainability features for laboratories. Mr. Serruto has been practicing architecture since 1984, licensed since 1987 and has worked with AECOM since 2001. He is a LEED Accredited Professional, BD+C. Mr. Serruto holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Planning from Notre Dame and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Mr. Tash is a principal at AECOM, based in the firm's National Capital Office in Arlington, Virginia, where he manages the healthcare and life sciences engineering group at this 250-person office. He is also the AECOM North America Lab & Pharmaceutical Market Sector leader. Mr. Tash has served as program/project manager and senior engineer on numerous projects for United States federal government agencies such as the NIH, EPA, Department of Veteran Affairs, Department of Agriculture, NASA, GSA and DoD among others. He has led domestic and international engineering design projects for numerous healthcare and research laboratory facilities throughout the United States. Mr. Tash has been a registered professional engineer since 1989, currently licensed in six U.S. states. Additionally, he is LEED Accredited Professional. Mr. Tash holds Masters and Bachelor of Science degrees in mechanical engineering from University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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