UCD Science Centre Project Update - September 2008
The Science Centre brief is to develop a design which will transform the university’s scientific core research and teaching facilities and generate substantial capacity for interdisciplinary activity.
Facilities will be designed to support a wide range of sciences including: chemistry, chemical biology, nanobiology, agriculture, food and health, biology and environmental sciences, geology, engineering and physical sciences, mathematical sciences, computer science and informatics, biomolecular and biomedical sciences.
Science Centre South
The first phase of the re-development of the Science Centre South Building, which is adjacent to the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, is almost complete.
The facilities include laboratories, write-up spaces, shared equipment rooms and a large number of fume extraction hoods which will support 60 researchers in synthetic chemistry, biopharmaceutical science and bio-nanoscience. Phased handover of the facility will be completed before the end of October.
Installation of the new façade and laboratory fit-out commenced on-site in March 2008 and the innovative design incorporates measures to maximise energy efficiency, such as fume-hood sashes which close automatically, heat recovery systems and improved façade performance.
Design Team Appointment
An EU procurement process was launched in late 2007 to establish a design team for the UCD Science Centre. There were 21 expressions of interest of which eight were chosen to provide a full tender submission.
A team which is led by RKD Architects has been appointed to design the Science Centre which will commence with the redevelopment of the Science Centre South Building. RKD Architects are known for their design of buildings which use innovative designs which are also highly functional. RKD Architects have gained critical acclaim for their work on the headquarters of Independent Newspapers plc. in Citywest, and the Guinness Storehouse in St. James Gate and they also have extensive experience of designing educational and laboratory buildings.
Guinness Independent Newspapers Dept. of Agriculture Labs
Storehouse
University buildings designed by RKD include the UCC Medical Complex and the Cairnes Business School in NUI Galway. Recent buildings designed by RKD Architects at UCD Belfield include the Veterinary Sciences Centre, the Quinn School of Business and the UCD Research building.
RKD laboratory facilities on campus also include the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology, which was completed in 2005 and is now home to over 60 researchers. These laboratories have made a substantial contribution to the pharmaceutical and emerging biopharmaceutical industries in Ireland.
RKD Architects were commissioned by the OPW in 2005 to design the Backweston Laboratory complex in County Kildare. This facility brings together the State laboratories in world-class research facilities in one flag-ship building.
Science Masterplan
The design team has initiated a series of workshops with the relevant schools, colleges, institutes and senior management to develop a masterplan for the Science Centre. The workshops are focused on strategies for strengthening research capacity, improving the quality of teaching and learning infrastructure, developing thematic research neighbourhoods and promoting links with government, industry and other third level institutions.
The next phase of Science Centre development will focus on the provision of state of the art facilities for PRTLI 4 funded programmes in Nanoscience, Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Food and Health. Detailed design and layout development is ongoing between the design team and the client.
Research Facilities Enhancement Scheme
UCD made a successful bid for €8million under the recent HEA Research Facilities Enhancement Scheme €8m for the Science Centre. The funded projects include the refurbishment of laboratories and research write-up facilities in Science Centre West, South and North Buildings.
Planning for these projects is now complete and contract procurement is underway. The work is scheduled to be complete by late 2008.
