MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

One of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology, the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is a world-class multidisciplinary laboratory, which was at the forefront of the revolution in molecular biology which occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. Many techniques have been pioneered at the LMB, including DNA sequencing, and the work of LMB scientists has led to numerous awards including nine Nobel Prizes shared among thirteen LMB scientists.

The new LMB facility is one of the most prestigious laboratory buildings in the world and will provide modern facilities that will allow the institute to continue its outstanding record as an innovator in biomedical research.

The new laboratory is located on Cambridge Biomedical Campus, an international centre of excellence in biomedical research.

The building layout is based on the shape of an X-chromosome with a north and south wing linked by a central atrium space; a key feature designed to encourage interaction between scientists. The gross area of the building is 32,000m2 with a development cost of approximately £200m.

The laboratory building has 3 fully occupied floors with a rooftop restaurant providing stunning views across Cambridgeshire. Each occupied floor has a full height interstitial floor above to facilitate horizontal distribution of services. This greatly simplifies maintenance and will allow refurbishment of laboratories with minimal disruption during the building’s 50+ year design life.

In order to minimise noise and vibration, all major items of plant are removed from the building and are housed in an external energy centre building containing heating and cooling plant, water treatment plant, high voltage equipment and emergency generators. Air handling plant is housed in four remote full height plant towers. Underground services tunnels link the main building with the energy centre and the plant towers.

The building’s renewable energy requirement is delivered by an on-site ground source heat pump system providing heating and cooling energy via an array of closed-loop boreholes.

KJ Tait Engineers formed a joint design venture with the American firm of specialist lab designers, RMF Engineering, to undertake the commission. The architects are RMJM and the main contractor is BAM Construction.

The Project is due for completion in 2012.