CASE STUDY | IBRB LABORATORY CULTIVATING KNOWLEDGE The University of Warwicks new Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building is designed to encourage the cross-fertilisation of scientific ideas. Hoare Leas Ed Lucas MCIBSE and Ashley Bateson FCIBSE describe the design strategy T he University of Warwick is committed to delivering world-leading scientific research, and specialises in neuroscience, microbiology and infection, cell biology, and disease. Its reputation for supporting and facilitating research of the highest quality has now been enhanced by a 54m Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building (IBRB), which was completed in 2021. Science is fundamentally a cumulative enterprise, and sharing information is essential to problem solving and developing solutions. The scientists at the University of Warwick understand the need for collaboration. The whole thing about science is that unexpected chance encounter, said one professor. Thats absolutely No 1, because all the prepared encounters are boring. To meet this requirement, the university commissioned a building that would bring together scientists from different departments and offer a purpose-built space for the crosspollination of ideas. At the IBRB, microbiologists from the medical school and life sciences are brought together in their fight against human infectious diseases, with the hope that collaboration will bring innovation. Architect Hawkins\Brown and building services consultant Hoare Lea were appointed to design the IBRB on the universitys Gibbet Hill campus. The main contractor was Willmott Dixon. 80 November 2022 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Nov 22 pp80-82 Hoare Lea life science.indd 80 The design IBRB is a purpose-built, six-storey research and teaching building, with open-plan write-up spaces, a 400-seat lecture theatre, meeting rooms, and perimeter singleoccupancy offices. There is also a caf, kitchens and an atria with connecting stairs. The building has two structural systems. The nonlab side uses a timber solution glue-laminated and cross-laminated timber which provides a low carbon alternative to conventional materials. The labs use a precast concrete structure, which was required to meet the science needs of the building. Where concrete is exposed to the workplaces, it has been finished to imitate the grain effect of wood, which offers a pleasing and calming effect on the eye. PROJECT TEAM: Client: University of Warwick Architect: Hawkins\Brown MEP engineers: Hoare Lea Main contractor: Willmott Dixon MEP contractor: NG Bailey Project manager: Turner and Townsend Floor area: 7,000m2 21/10/2022 16:49