Objective:

 

The Client desired to provide a new space within an existing research and development site in their Carlsbad Research campus in which they could located a series of instruments that conduct automated processing. These instruments require clean power and sufficient cooling to allow for their ongoing operation without placing the remainder of the facility at risk. Power supply and cooling were provided to accommodate this use in the new space.

 

Design Approach:

 

The proposed space for this laboratory was being used as an open office and main building corridor within the existing 26,000 SF building. A detailed exit analysis was conducted to determine what, if any, changes would be required to support the proposed change in the use of this space. A detailed inventory was prepared for the items of equipment that were to be located in the laboratory with the objective of formulating a match of available power and cooling. The existing available power and cooling capacity were measured against those requirement in order to generate a complete picture of the needed changes to support systems. Interviews were conducted with the scientific staff and management to assess the needs to flexibility of use within the space.

 

Design Objective:

 

The space planned for use as the Instrument Lab was visible from many of the interior spaces in the building. It was to house a great deal of expensive automated equipment that could be shown to visitors to the facility. A large number of different items of electronic equipment were to be placed in the space. The variety of items had the potential to create visual clutter in the lab. The design was to address this issue while providing for an open clean space in which the equipment items could be located.

Design Challenge:

 

The space was surrounded on three sides by existing corridors that were to remain functional during the construction of the space. The construction plan was developed to immediately isolate the new area from the remainder of the building, and provide for the completion of the space within the new fire rated enclosed perimeter. The new space was created with a series of low walls that allowed the machines to be located anywhere along a counter that extended on either side of the central spine. A space at the back of the counter remained open to allow the various wiring to extend below the bench top to electrical raceway below and above the bench top. These low walls concealed any view of the entire space at any given time, while maintaining an open feel and look for the space. Walls at either end of the space extended to the ceiling line to allow power supplies to be routed to the low walls. New isolated HVAC and power systems were supplied for the space making it totally independent from the remaining facility.