New European Models in Sustainable Research Space

Andrew Kane, FaulknerBrowns Architects
Mike Dockery, Sui Generis

The Medical Sciences New Building at Newcastle University (UK) has recently been awarded a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) "Excellent" rating. For a new laboratory this achievement is exceptional, since only three UK laboratories have achieved such a high rating—but importantly it was delivered at a construction cost no greater than for earlier non-BREEAM-rated laboratories.

This joint presentation by the lead designer and laboratory consultant outlines the design management process that was used to drive the sustainability agenda from inception to completion, as well giving information on a series of new measures, including workplace innovations, energy efficiencies, as well as flexibility and spatial design to enhance research interaction. This includes:

  • Delivery of an exceptional sustainability standard at no additional cost premium.
  • Embedding measures to enhance energy efficiency.
  • New models in laboratory design to optimize spatial adjacencies and enhance interaction between researchers.
  • Delivering greater spatial efficiency.
  • Improving flexibility to accommodate changes in research programs.
  • Enhancing working environments to attract/retain/motivate research staff.

Biographies:

Andrew Kane is a chartered architect practicing in the United Kingdom. Having graduated with distinction and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Sheffield, he commenced his early career with a period of research at the university focusing on computational support for design processes while also working in private practice. In the early 1990s, Mr. Kane joined FaulknerBrowns Architects in Newcastle upon Tyne; he has been a partner for the previous eight years. In the late 1990s he led the design of a government pilot project to develop new forms of collaboration and procurement to improve integration between client design teams and contracting supply chains. He continues to be an active contributor to the ongoing development of collaborative working techniques and is a member of the Constructing Excellence steering group, which provides cross-industry support to help advance collaboration.

Over the last 10 years, his architectural work has focused on major research and development projects in the government and academic fields. Recent projects include a defense technology research and development headquarters in southwest England as well as several academic research and commercialization facilities for universities throughout the United Kingdom. He is also involved in master-planning the new translational research and development campus for the Health Protection Agency. As part of ongoing research he recently hosted a regional seminar, "Science Safety and Sustainability," highlighting emerging technologies to deliver the new generation of sustainable laboratory facilities.

Mike Dockery is a chartered engineer as well as a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and has been involved in the design of plant and building services engineering for more than 30 years. Since 1980 his work has had an increasing emphasis on "high-science" projects, becoming increasingly focused on research and development facilities, including all the key scientific disciplines. Also during this time, he has become increasingly involved with the wider context of building design, particularly functional layout. His project involvement ranges from conceptual engineering to site troubleshooting, commissioning, and handover activities. Mr. Dockery is committed to the ethos of multi- and inter-disciplinary design and the various techniques that improve its effectiveness. He is chairman of the British Standards Institution Laboratory Technical Committee LBI/18, leads the UK delegation to the Comité Européen de Normalisation Fume Hoods Committee, and regularly presents on laboratory design at conferences and seminars including ACHEMA 2006 and 2009 in Frankfurt and the Labs21 Annual Conferences in 2006 through 2009. Since 2007 he has been involved in a series of events and initiatives intended to formally introduce the Labs21 Approach for sustainable laboratory design to Europe. A central aspect of Mr. Dockery's work has been the challenge of "formulaic design" or "design by rote" through the consideration of innovative techniques and technologies to improve functionality and reduce costs, yet still maintain the highest levels of laboratory safety and adherence to codes.