University of Melbourne

This project was to develop a safe working environment for the expanded facilities which requires safe use and storage of flammable and toxic gases and solvents.

The continued diversification of research supports the need for laboratories to be able to readily reconfigured. A flexible, modular and / or demountable benching system forms the core of the design. To deliver reticulated services via overhead suspended gantries frees up floor spaces and facilitates flexibility in spatial arrangement of furniture and equipment below.

The main open area of the Synthetic Gases Test Facility is for both research and teaching and as such relies on regular communications and staff interaction. A large room such as this will be ‘acoustically live’ which required introduction of sound absorption on walls and particularly the ceilings.

The existing room is lacking of natural light, enhanced artifactual lighting level and light surface colour are introduced to eliminate claustrophobic environment.