THE CREATIVE PROCESS
In creating this new show lab, ISP’s senior managers took the opportunity to shed off existing habits to start afresh on issues such as image and visual impact, storage of chemicals and waste policy, lighting and foul air extract and most importantly, the design of the benches themselves. We responded to those challenges by rejecting the conventional separation of offices from the lab space and making the offices a part of the laboratory; by designing a new bench type that eliminated the above worksurface shelving, by bringing in daylight and designing an efficient layout of minimal segregation and transparency.

Planning
In the planning of the space available, it is the labs that take central stage and as such are set out in the middle, surrounded by its supporting facilities. The space has been zoned into three bands corresponding to an office zone along the perimeter of the building where daylight is available, a central lab working zone and a lab ancillary zone along the common landlord's corridor.

The offices have not been grouped into a separate compartment. They are located within easy reach of the lab where there is daylight. The stores, packaging and sample rooms are located to take advantage of the existing doors so that there is no necessity to create new openings. The entrance hall will be lined with displays and would provide a glimpse of the lab through its glass doors.

Design Furtures
Three towers to be metal clad rising full height to the ceiling will become the distinguishing feature of this space. They will be designed to house the fume cupboards, air-conditioning equipment, air extract, autoclave unit, portable fire extinguishers, switch panels etc to become the cores of the lab as well as the anchor points of the lab benches.

The configuration of the benches will be designed to suit the testing needs of each section, however, in principle they would form islands raised off the floor for ease of cleaning below. The image of the lab space itself would appear to be set in a high ceiling glass enclosure formed from the fronts of the offices. Finishes shall support a clinical and high tech appearance.

Lighting Aspects
A general light level of 500 Lux to the lab space is recommended, with task lighting installed where required, such as over certain instruments. Borrowed daylight will be used to enhance the lab space.

Occupancy sensors could be installed within stores and packing areas. Offices require almost no artificial lighting during the day as they are located near large windows.