Experimental Sciences Building II
A facility to advance top-tier research at Texas Tech University
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education recognizes Texas Tech University as an R1 (Tier One) research institution. This national recognition has enabled the university to focus on building strategic partnerships with industry leaders, and improve faculty and student recruiting and retention. The university also maintains a steadfast commitment to investing in facilities and infrastructure. This commitment is directly responsible for the addition of the Experimental Sciences Building II to the Tech campus.
Programming and design for ultimate flexibility
Our team provided comprehensive programming and design services for this shared research facility that supports multiple colleges and departments, including chemistry, physics and engineering. When the project began, specific end users were not known, making flexibility to support any research discipline a critical goal.
As such, we designed flexible, open, and modular high-tech interdisciplinary research laboratories based around themes of use: instrumental and computational laboratories, generic wet research laboratories, and synthetic chemistry laboratories. The facility also includes principal research investigator offices, core instrumentation facilities, support spaces, and three conference rooms to foster Texas Tech’s growing research enterprise.
A small animal (rodent) vivarium with conventional holding and ABSL2 suites serves as a core facility for the entire campus. Core instrumentation facilities house state-of-the-art instruments to provide support for research activities conducted by the larger campus R&D community.
The ESB II is so well done, beyond what I could envision . . . I will always brag about our team for accomplishing the “crown jewel” of the campus.
David Naugher, (Retired) Senior Project Manager, Texas Tech University System
Planning, design, and implementation process
Modular planning
Modular planning allowed space organization based on laboratory use, as well as coordination with structure and infrastructure pathways for long-term adaptability.
Fume hood capacity
We approach all designs with a mindset for growth potential. Provisions were put in place for additional fume hood capacities and common services like house vacuum, air, and purified water.
Flexible power
Within laboratory equipment zones identified during planning, we provided standard power requirements and standby power provisions. We also provided additional conduit pathways and spare panel board capacity for running special power requirements as needed.
Transparency and access
Glazing along the open laboratory space increases transparency of activities within. Graduate research assistant space is located between the open laboratory and corridor, with a door to both. This allows a place for food, drink, and video gathering in a safe, non-laboratory environment.
Ground zero for a legacy of research impact
This innovative approach to planning and design allowed for the development of a research facility that can support existing and future research endeavors on campus, and also help attract and support prestigious researchers from around the world. It also facilitates scientists from different disciplines working together to solve important problems that will have lasting and positive impacts on generations to come.
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