Chapter 6 Formulation of the design brief
6.2 Brief derivation
6.2.2 Client's objectives
As a major role-player in the public health care sector, the NHLS has the following objectives:
• To provide a world-class health laboratory service through competent, qualified professionals and state- of-the-art technology, supported by academic and internationally recognised research, training and product development.
• To conduct research appropriate to the needs of the broader population, which include cancer research.
• To make major contributions to national and international medicine
In light of the Client's objectives, the cancer research institute is to conform to international standards in planning and servicing and create a pleasant environment that attracts and retains a high calibre of staff to conduct the research and facilitates the research process.
6.2.3 Funding
The client, the NHLS, has pre-existing funding relationships with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). CANSA has in the past secured funding for research projects conducted by the NHLS. In this scenario, CANSA has secured research grants to cover the cost of construction of the new Cancer Research Institute. The NHLS generates funding through their diagnosis service and this, in conjunction with research grants that they should receive, will provide the running capital for the Institute.
6.2.4 Function and users
As mentioned in Chapter 1, cancer research can be broken up into five main types, namely: basic research, translational research, clinical trials, behavioural and population research and psychosocial research. Basic research will be conducted in this facility, in line with one of the current functions of the client, the NHLS. Therefore the building users will be medical researchers and support staff and administration personnel.
The staff component will comprise of 90 to 120 people. This building is not intended to be accessible to the general public, and does not cater for clinical trials. Allowances will be made
6.2.2 Client's objectives
As a major role-player in the public health care sector, the NHLS has the following objectives:
• To provide a world-class health laboratory service through competent, qualified professionals and state- of-the-art technology, supported by academic and internationally recognised research, training and product development.
• To conduct research appropriate to the needs of the broader population, which include cancer research.
• To make major contributions to national and international medicine
In light of the Client's objectives, the cancer research institute is to conform to international standards in planning and servicing and create a pleasant environment that attracts and retains a high calibre of staff to conduct the research and facilitates the research process.
6.2.3 Funding
The client, the NHLS, has pre-existing funding relationships with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). CANSA has in the past secured funding for research projects conducted by the NHLS. In this scenario, CANSA has secured research grants to cover the cost of construction of the new Cancer Research Institute. The NHLS generates funding through their diagnosis service and this, in conjunction with research grants that they should receive, will provide the running capital for the Institute.
6.2.4 Function and users
As mentioned in Chapter 1, cancer research can be broken up into five main types, namely: basic research, translational research, clinical trials, behavioural and population research and psychosocial research. Basic research will be conducted in this facility, in line with one of the current functions of the client, the NHLS. Therefore the building users will be medical researchers and support staff and administration personnel.
The staff component will comprise of 90 to 120 people. This building is not intended to be accessible to the general public, and does not cater for clinical trials. Allowances will be made
for visitors to the facility, but the number of incidental visitors is limited. Facilities are to be included to accommodate occasional conferences of up to 100 visiting professionals.
6.2.5 Environmental requirements
Due to the high service requirements of the building, energy and water consumption is typically five times more per square metre than that of a typical office building (Watch: 2007, n.p.).
This is as a result of:
• The need for many containment and exhaust devices;
• Intensive use of heat generating equipment;
• Scientists requiring 24 hour access;
• Equipment requiring fail-safes; and
• Certain areas requiring intensive ventilation
The minimisation of the impact the building has on the environment is facilitated by focusing on improvements in efficiencies and productivity, a reduction of the needs of artificial environments and the built form facilitating energy efficiency. Particular strategies will be discussed in Chapter 7.
6.2.6 Construction systems and materials
The general requirements of the constructional system are that the system allows for flexibility of the spaces created and also allows for easy expansion. These requirements suggest a modular frame and infill system being implemented.
Constructional systems and materials should also respond to environmental sustainable design principles. Specific aspects in regards to structure will be discussed in Chapter 7.
6.2.7 Site requirements
Due to the very specific nature and requirements of the building and its function, the following aspects affect site selection.
According to Watch (2007, n.p.), they are:
• Proximity to a research university;
• The availability of a highly educated workforce;
• Quality of life of the nearest city;
• Proximity to a major airport; and
for visitors to the facility, but the number of incidental visitors is limited. Facilities are to be included to accommodate occasional conferences of up to 100 visiting professionals.
6.2.5 Environmental requirements
Due to the high service requirements of the building, energy and water consumption is typically five times more per square metre than that of a typical office building (Watch: 2007, n.p.).
This is as a result of:
• The need for many containment and exhaust devices;
• Intensive use of heat generating equipment;
• Scientists requiring 24 hour access;
• Equipment requiring fail-safes; and
• Certain areas requiring intensive ventilation
The minimisation of the impact the building has on the environment is facilitated by focusing on improvements in efficiencies and productivity, a reduction of the needs of artificial environments and the built form facilitating energy efficiency. Particular strategies will be discussed in Chapter 7.
6.2.6 Construction systems and materials
The general requirements of the constructional system are that the system allows for flexibility of the spaces created and also allows for easy expansion. These requirements suggest a modular frame and infill system being implemented.
Constructional systems and materials should also respond to environmental sustainable design principles. Specific aspects in regards to structure will be discussed in Chapter 7.
6.2.7 Site requirements
Due to the very specific nature and requirements of the building and its function, the following aspects affect site selection.
According to Watch (2007, n.p.), they are:
• Proximity to a research university;
• The availability of a highly educated workforce;
• Quality of life of the nearest city;
• Proximity to a major airport; and
• Ability to expand at the same site.
In addition to these aspects, Putnam Gould (1986, 50 - 51) lists:
• Access to utilities as the building is a heavy consumer of power and water, and has specific waste disposal requirements.
• Consideration of the surrounding environment as noise, dust and vibrations may be detrimental to the building functions.
• The immediate and surrounding environment should be pleasant (with views, landscaping etc.) to be a positive factor in recruitment of personnel.
6.2.8 Architectural form and massing
The site plan should be simple, orderly and regular and should allow for expansion. The visitor's entrance should be obvious and signposted to minimise visitors wandering around on site (Griffin: 2000, 27). In addition, Griffin (2000, 28) suggests that a single-storey laboratory component is optimum as multi-storey requires vertical ducts which increase the risk of the spread of fire [also confirmed by Seitter: 2007] and increases the building construction costs with added circulation. This obviously needs to be balanced with other design considerations.
6.2.9 Design objectives
The major design objectives are to create a pleasant environment for human habitation while still providing the functional requirements that facilitate research as well as providing for a 'social building'. "Science functions best when it is supported by architecture that facilitates structures and informal interaction, flexible use of space, and sharing of resources". (Watch: 2007, n.p.) The building also needs to be appropriately serviced.