Sustainable energy initiatives will drive the design of the new Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) for the Medical Research Council (MRC) at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, which will be engineered to closely resemble the form of an “X” chromosome and will link two asymmetrical blocks with a central atrium and social circulation space.
There will be a 350,000ft2 main laboratory building and an adjacent 50,000ft2 energy centre. Sustainability features include the UK’s largest underground network of heat recovery system pipes. Over 780 structural piles will support the building, mitigating the effects of vibration on laboratory conditions, with a number providing an efficient, cost-effective source of heating and cooling. Interstitial floors will allow services to penetrate at the appropriate point into laboratory areas, allowing control and alteration without intrusion into sensitive areas.
The design team, novated to HBG for management, comprises architect RMJM, structural engineer AKT, and services consultants K J Tait/RMF. Work is due to start this year.
