Perspectus was engaged to provide lab planning and architectural design services for the relocation of existing Biology Teaching Labs for Case Western Reserve University. The project was to be designed to achieve LEED certification. The scope of work included planning, design and construction administration. The Perspectus team included specialty consultants including furniture, a lab programmer, lighting consultant, a LEED consultant, and structural and MEPT Engineering.
This project involved the repurposing of a large portion of the ground floor of the former School of Dental Medicine Research Building which became available upon the relocation of the Dental School to a new facility elsewhere on campus. The project area is accessible at grade from the north side of the building and is completely subterranean from the south. The addition of large areas of glass along the north facing labs and the updating of finishes created a bright and inviting space that draws students into and through the building.
This project included multiple planning workshops to confirm the space program provided by CWRU and to set the project scope. The Perspectus team implemented the space program within the existing building constraints and coordinated the engineering requirements specific to the biology classroom and supporting lab spaces. Multiple teaching labs were created with a central lab prep area accessed directly from the labs. Large and small collaborate areas were created to promote student gathering and interaction within the heart of the facility. Additionally, offices and ancillary support spaces were provided for the teaching staff. Converting the formal dental clinic into a laboratory facility required a new HVAC system to provide the outside air required by the teaching and lab prep areas in addition to a new exhaust system.