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Architects: Piratininga Arquitetos Associados, VD Arquitetura
- Year: 2011
The bio-nanomanufaturing laboratory covers four strategic research areas of the Institute of Biological Research - IPT, such as biotechnology, particle technology, nanomanufaturing equipment and high precision metrology. In addition to these laboratories, the building contains work areas, with research and meeting spaces, management and integration environments.
The 8479.00 m² building was designed as a single shelter for all of these activities. It is a prefabricated structure parallel to the main campus road, on a site with some slope in the same direction. On the slope, it was possible to define two different levels, corresponding to the different specificities of the program. On the lowest level, it was possible to design a building with three floors, destined for laboratories and the necessary facilities for their operation, as well as the access for equipment and supplies on a loading courtyard. On the highest level is the access to the building and the ground floor. To the left is an intermediate floor with laboratories, to the right are the reception and meeting areas, along with a cafe associated with a outdoor plaza. Access to the auditorium is at the center of the large volume, whose upper surface is occupied by an administrative section. This volume could be buried slightly to highlight its differentiated function in relation to the rest of the program.
The proposal to design a building with prefabricated structure was complemented by a separating concept of the building, in its cross direction. Two distinct bearing structures were defined. The main structure contains the laboratories and the work program, it has large spans (36 modules 7.50 x 9.60m) and adequate strength to perform the tasks necessary. The secondary structure, with a great load capacity and smaller spans (12 modules 7.50 x 5.40m) contains all equipment and machinery in the building. The separation was necessary so that no vibration produced by the equipment of the technical areas was transmitted to the main body of the building, in order to preserve the proper functioning of the bio-nanomanufaturing equipment. We therefore have a unique building with independent structures, including their foundations.
With the separation of the structures solved, the project envelops this building with different enclosure systems. In technical areas, where all machines are located along with the loading and unloading of supplies, there is a concrete skin facade, with prefabricated panels which structure the large windowless facade that is seen from the access road. This also solves the thermal comfort of the building by blinding its north facade, and reduces considerably the thermal loads. The roof is a concrete slab, waterproofed and with a high load capacity, since it is able to carry condensers and compressors that are located on the top floor.
Alternatively, the main body is enveloped by a sash of special glass that filters out radiation, including bright sunlight. With a predominant view to the south, it conveys transparency and access to the landscape for the laboratories. The roof is designed in a single span of metal trusses (28.80 m), coated with thermo-acoustic tiles, which led to the top floor without pillars (45.00 x 28.80m).
Within this structure we also find another separation. The laboratories are in the east wing, and the work and meeting rooms are in the west wing, which are next to a forest of large trees that give natural shade, as part of the facade strategy, assisting in thermal comfort and the foyer for the exhibition and auditorium areas. The central space with a great wall is flooded by a controlled overhead lighting from a large glass skylight, which acts as a filter between the external landscape and the almost cloistered condition of working in a laboratory. In integrates in the eyes of users, both of what is outside and what is inside, filtering perception and preparing the viewer for the immersion program. This space also has a technical walkway that connects the facilities areas without interfering with the main program, with easy maintenance and giving the viewer a clear perception that inside that building technical issues are clearly differentiated from social issues. This impression is enhanced when the space of a small square, in a separate level of the outside area, integrates the foyer / hall, providing total comfort to researchers and visitors.
