Orman Wing Laboratories
Scion - Rotorua
S-Lab 2013 International Laboratory Building Award
Scion's Rotorua laboratories needed an urgent upgrade to better support the world-class science they provide to the forestry, wood and biomaterial industries. Built in the 1970s, the Crown Research Institute's existing laboratories had become cramped, unsafe and inefficient.
They consisted of several small individual working areas housed in two adjacent buildings. Offices and laboratories were mixed together, with poor storage and no containment. Access was via a walkway, and a public corridor ran straight through the centre.
In partnership with project managers RDT Pacific, we radically changed the layout to introduce open-plan areas that increase workflow while also improving safety, efficiency and flexibility, complementing these with fit-for-purpose individual areas that provide support functions.
Laboratory and non-laboratory functions are now separate and include a PC2 fermentation laboratory, PC1 chemistry and analytical spaces, pre- and post-PCR, and molecular analytical laboratories. Support and office spaces have been incorporated into adjacent areas.
A standout feature of the new design is a fully glazed north-facing corridor, which makes the most of the beautiful views out to the Whakarewarewa Forest. It also allows Scion to show clients the work taking place, without the need for them to enter the laboratory zone itself.
The refurbishment has given Scion the modern, comfortable facilities and safe laboratory infrastructure they need to continue their leading research, science and technology development.
Take a look inside the laboratory in the video below.
