Faber Maunsell | AECOM appointed for new research centre in Scotland
Work on the £58 million Easter Bush Research centre, which will accommodate 500 scientists, has started in Midlothian, with engineering design by Faber Maunsell|AECOM.
The building will contain many sustainable design features to help meet the client’s BREEAM ‘Very good’ aspirations. They include modular lab spaces with cascade ventilation systems for economic running costs and naturally ventilated offices using stack-effect ventilation through ventilation towers. The new site infrastructure also includes off-site sewers and on-site stormwater attenuation.
The new centre will bring together scientists and support staff from The Roslin Institute and the Scottish Agricultural College. The building is designed by HDR CUH2A and will be shaped to resemble a pair of chromosomes, with coloured panels representing the DNS ‘fins’ to link the office and research laboratory blocks.
Phil Hunter, regional director at Faber Maunsell|AECOM, said, ‘A major challenge was integrating the building services with the complex shape of the architecture of the building.
