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Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Description

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Scientists at the Medical Research Council’s LMB have won Nobel prizes and many other scientific awards through their pioneering work and developments, most notably the sequencing of DNA. They work at a molecular level to understand and ultimately tackle human health problems and disease and BAM Construction is proud to be helping them with their work – albeit on a much larger scale…

The new building doubles the size of one of the world’s leading – and most famous – laboratories, which after nearly 50 years is in need of substantial refurbishment. The design represents an X-shaped chromosome and BAM’s new building is both striking to look at and excellent to work in, with a large atrium and circulation-space joining two assymetrical blocks. It incorporates state-of-the-art facilities for some 400 scientists and 200 support staff.

Heavy plant is housed in a dedicated energy centre with four stainless steel-clad towers linked to the building to reduce vibration in the laboratories. Fully-accessible voids between the floors house all the ductwork, pipes and services, ensuring the labs themselves are undisturbed during maintenance and modification work. Such flexibility will ensure longevity for the building, as will the sustainable features such as the largest ground source heat pump system ever installed in the UK. The primary focus throughout was to deliver a building that supports the scientific research done within it as unobtrusively as possible.