Lab II: A Earth-Cooled Complex

Viewed as industrial and highly function-driven buildings, the design aspect of laboratories, such as energy performance and sustainability, are often given a lower priority.

This project designed for CSIRO will feature a sustainable, P3 laboratory building at Monash University’s Clayton campus. The final product attempts to meet the functional and spatial needs of the laboratory while experimenting aesthetically with locally relevant architectural philosophical ideas and making the building perform better with appropriate sustainable design techniques.

Lab II: A Earth-Cooled Complex builds upon the foundations established in LabUnbound 1.0, furthering the exploration of energy sustainability and cultural significance within laboratory architecture. This iteration takes a bold step forward by focusing on the unique typology of semi-underground buildings, providing a powerful starting point for the project’s innovative approach.

Semi-Underground Design
In this design, the laboratory and educational complex are situated three meters below ground level. The earth acts as a thermal mass, maintaining a constant temperature of approximately 14°C in Victoria’s climate. Given that laboratory spaces typically require minimal natural light and are the most energy-intensive areas, placing the laboratory half-underground is a daring yet highly effective choice.

End-User Insights
Interviews and observations of end-users were pivotal in shaping this design. During the exploratory phase, a series of interviews were conducted with high-intensity laboratory workers, including Ph.D. students and professors from China, the United States, and Australia, across various fields of natural sciences. These users emphasized the importance of wellbeing in laboratory settings, particularly the value of an effectively soundproofed workspace, which significantly enhances concentration and productivity during long hours of work. The benefits of underground construction include excellent sound insulation, a crucial feature for creating a focused and productive environment.

Sustainable Design Features
Beyond the efficient semi-underground energy solution, the project incorporates additional sustainable design features. These include customized solar panel roofs, top-lighting heliostat systems, and earth-to-air heat exchangers. These combined approaches aim to elevate the building’s performance, achieving a truly zero-carbon footprint.

Cultural Impact and Design Inspiration
In addition to its energy efficiency and the wellbeing it provides to users, the cultural impact of the building’s exterior plays a significant role. Drawing inspiration from Peter Corrigan’s postmodern design style, known for its strong public engagement and interaction, the project pays homage to his visually impactful approach. The building’s facade features locally inspired colors, punctuated with highly recognizable patterns, delivering a sensory experience deeply rooted in the region’s identity. The uniquely designed solar panels, arranged geometrically across the roof and facade, mimic the lifecycle of eucalyptus leaves, from maturity to decay, further enhancing the building’s dialogue with its surroundings.

This project was completed in the winter of 2021 and was selected for the 2021 MSDX exhibition. The project was guided by Toby Reed.

This article presents the second phase of the project. For the first phase, please refer to the following links:

Lab I: A Breathing Wall