The design of science facilities in universities in New Zealand

Abstract

The Study is about the planning and design of Science facilities in universities in New Zealand. The problems common to laboratory design relate to the changing functions of teaching and research techniques and policies in universities, that occur between the initiation and conclusion of the science building. Because of the costs of construction and the provision of extensive services and furniture, which are often immobile, science buildings need to be flexible for a fuller and continuing use of their facilities, and for the widest range of activities over their lifetime. In the Study an investigation is made of factors leading to improvement of laboratory design. - the determinants of current planning of university science buildings in New Zealand. - the design considerations for the various scientific functions. - the factors of adaptability required in building and components. A case study is made for the Physics Department of Victoria University of Wellington to demonstrate the existing design and planning problems, and to derive their solutions. The findings of the Study consist of the following : - that the Brief formulation process is unsatisfactory due to insufficient information and co-ordination among its members. The time-lag of the project, prolonged by the required University Grants approvals, causes increases in building costs, obsolescence in materials and finishes, and changes in initial Brief requirements. - that the utilisation of existing laboratory space is low, as derived by a comparative study of activity graphs. - that a more efficient space and activity relationship for building design can be achieved by computer techniques. The techniques used are the HIDECS and CLUSTER methods. The summary of the conclusions reached is : - there should be more effective communication and co-operation within the Brief organisation. The Brief should relate to long-term requirements for predictable activities and to short-term requirements for less predictable activities, which differ for the various scientific disciplines. - space utilisation can be increased by the timetabling techniques of the 'dynamic space allocation model'. Spaces designed to limited shapes and sizes are more accommodating of a wider range of group sizes and their activities. - there is justification for the use of computers in the analysis of Brief requirements because of their suitability for complex Briefs, their flexibility and objectiveness of solutions, and their speed and thoroughness of use. - the application of design strategies for adaptability derived by the research units abroad are feasible in New Zealand. They consist of demountable partitions for changes in function of space and immobile equipment, an overhead system of servicing by flexible connections and movable service components independent of the structure, and a co-ordinated range of furniture related to the planning grid for layout variety, additions and interchangeability. Further proposed development work comprises a survey of existing university science facilities and their pattern of use in New Zealand, an annotated bibliography relevant to the New Zealand context, a study of capital and running costs of science building projects, and sponsored research programmes for the improvement of science accommodation. - to identify the design considerations for science functions, such as requirements of space, furniture, services and environment and the basis of their provision. - to identify the need of adaptability for more efficient design, and the current application for adaptability in buildings and components. A case-study was made for the Physics Department of Victoria University of Wellington to demonstrate the techniques that can be applied in brief formulation, space utilisation and timetabling studies, and space relationship rationalisation by computer techniques. Although the case-study would only give limited validity and application, the findings are of use as a basis for discussion between universities and their architects, for potentially wider applications both by other science disciplines and for other university buildings. The general conclusions of the Study cover : - an appraisal of the computer methods of HIDECS and CLUSTER, as techniques for space relationship analysis. - planning and design procedure for adaptability. - summary of itemised recommendations including suggestions for future investigations.