Project Description
In today’s research environments, collaboration happens everywhere, and the new General Purpose Laboratory on Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s campus was designed with this paradigm in mind. Created to facilitate cross-pollination between diverse research groups, the laboratory houses "plug-and-play" wet and dry labs for approximately 130 researchers. Offices and research spaces are located adjacent to one another on each of the three floors, encouraging an organic workflow and spontaneous interaction. Open workstations allow for the penetration of natural daylight in column-free office areas. This feature, along with solar water heating, high R-value insulation, a cool roof, energy efficient lighting, and an interior light shelf combined with exterior fins, led to a LEED Gold certification for the building.