CUR 2002 Workshop Report
 
CUR 2002 Planning and Designing Sciences Facilities: Part C

• Presentation Outline

  • Trends in Undergraduate Science Facilities
  • Programming
  • Teaching Laboratory Design
  • Sustainability
  • Building Configuration Issues
  • Grinnell College Noyce Sciences Center - Case Study
  • Benchmarking
     

• Trends A - Students are Active Participants

  • Hands-on Laboratory Rich Environment
  • Students Become Engaged in Science by Doing Science
  • Less Emphasis on Just Reading Books and Taking Tests
  • Group Activities, Even in the Classroom
     

• Trends B - Integration of Technology

  • Computers and Wet Benches
  • Laptops - Ready or Not!
  • Computer Focused Lecture
  • Multi-Media, Audio-Visual Technology is Becoming Common Place (in Classroom and Teaching Laboratories)
  • Scientific Instruments are Accessible to Students and Faculty, Often Shared by Teaching and Research Laboratories
     

• Trends C - Scientific Collaboration

  • Faculty / Student Research Laboratories
  • Student "Project" Space
  • Engage Building Occupants and Visitors in Science with Collections, Displays and Poster Session Space
  • Interaction Outside of the Classrooms and Laboratories
  • Places for Students to Study or Wait for Faculty
  • Spaces to Eat/Drink - Keep Food Outside of Llaboratory!
  • Atrium Spaces Can Help Promote Vertical Interaction
     

• Trends D - Celebration of Science

  • Incorporation of Scientific Art
  • Put Science on Display with Interior and Exterior Windows
  • Art as Educational Opportunities
     

• Programming

  • Interactive Programming Process
  • Modular Planning
  • Systems Integration
  • Program 'Deliverables'
     

• Programming

  • Interactive Programming Process
  • Modular Planning
  • Systems Integration
  • Program 'Deliverables'
     

• Teaching Laboratory Design

  • Organic Chemistry - alternative layouts and issues:

    • Quantity and Size of Fume Hoods
    • Laboratory Bench Orientation
    • Accommodation of Instrumentation
    • Facilitation of Lecture of Breakout

  • Biology with Moveable Tables - alternative layouts and issue:

    • Distribution of Utilities
    • Laboratory / Lecture
    • Accommodation of Computers
    • Hoods and Sinks

  • General Physics - alternative layouts and issues:

    • Laboratory / Lecture
    • Accommodation of Computers
    • "Workshop" Style Learning
    • Instruments / Flexibility
       

• Sustainability Issues for Science Buildings

  • LEED II Green Building Rating System

  • Use of Sustainable Materials

    • Wood from 'Certified Sustainably Managed Forest
    • Minimum Requirements for Recycled Steel Content

  • Use of Environmentally Friendly Finishes

    • Water-Borne Application for Wood Finishes
    • Finishes Applied with 'Near-Zero' VOC Emissions
    • No 'Offgasing' of Wood Products after Curing
    • Dry Coating Process for Steel Casework Finishes

  • Variable Air Volume (VAV) Control Systems on Fume Hoods

  • Sash-Limiting Devices on Fume Hoods to Reduce Air Flow

  • Occupancy Sensors for Fume Hoods and/or Room Lighting
  • Heat Recovery System for Fume Hood Exhaust
     

• Building Configuration - 'Zoned" - most common in large university research buildings

  • Functional Relationships Between:

    • Teaching Laboratories
    • Research Laboratories
    • Laboratory Support Space
    • Offices / Classrooms

  • Organization Factors: 

    • Faculty / Faculty Interaction
    • Faculty / Student Interaction
    • Faculty Monitoring / Mentoring of Student Research
    • Access Vs. Privacy Vs. Security Vs. Safety
    • Utility Infrastructure Between Access & Economy
    • Economy of Construction
    • Flexibility
       
• Building Configuration - 'Clustered' - more common in small undergraduate environment
   

• Building Configuration - Addition / Renovation

  • Renovation Challenges & Opportunities:

    • Limitations on Laboratory Module Depth
    • Spacing of Structural Elements Vs. Planning Module
    • Spacing of Windows Vs. Planning Module
    • Floor to Floor Height Vs. Building Systems
    • Organization of Teaching / Research / Support / Office Spaces
    • ADA Accessibility Issues
       

• Grinnell College Noyce Sciences Center - Case Study

  • Plans, Exterior, Public Spaces, and Classrooms

  • Overall Plan Showing Renovation and Addition Areas

  • Stage I - Second Floor Plan

  • Stage I - Third Floor Plan

  • Stage II - Third Floor Plan

  • Biology Department Layout

  • Chemistry Department Layout

  • Physics Department Layout

  • Prior Conditions and Solutions: 

    • Long peninsula benches created 'dead-ends'
    • Safe exiting hindered with only one way out
    • Faculty access to students was impaired by long peninsulas
    • Collaborative student learning was difficult with long peninsulas
    • Corridors were too narrow to properly accommodate poster sessions
       

• Benchmarking

  • Net / Gross Area Raio

    • "Great Expectations" Vs. Realistic Goals
    • Impact of Floor Plan Size and Layout

  • Laboratory Support / Laboratory + Laboratory Support Ratio

    • Trends
    • Proliferation of Scientific Equipment

  • Laboratory Density: Total Laboratory NSF / Building GSF

    • Why is this Important?
    • Laboratories are the 'expensive' parts of the building!
    • Higher density of lab space results in higher cost / square foot 

  • Construction Cost / GSF Adjusted To New London, CT 2002

    • Comparative Projects
    • Geographic Acjustment
    • Escalation
       

• Closing Advice

  • Remember why you are doing the project - It will be a lot of hard work, but it's worth it!