The University has announced it is investing in new teaching laboratories for Biomedical and Life Sciences (BLS) and the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC). The two so-called “super labs” will house a maximum capacity of 216 students across two floors. The building incorporates preparatory rooms and general stores. Both labs have been designed to be easily subdivided, allowing multiple disciplines to use the laboratories simultaneously. Construction on the laboratories will be completed in Lent Term 2015.
In an internal communication seen by SCAN, the University said that the construction of the news laboratories is aiming to achieve the BREEAM Excellence rating. BREEAM is the world’s foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings.
The construction of the laboratories additionally follows a low energy strategy which uses renewable energy as the last part of an approach to energy efficiency, rather than off-setting an inefficient design. The University said that the building will provide access for all throughout and every effort has been made to provide level access at Ground and First Floor. “The way finding is set to be clear and intuitive; the new building will link into the principle horizontal and vertical circulation routes of the LEC building,” the University said.
As a result of the construction, car parking in Library Avenue closed on Monday Week 8 and will be unavailable until Lent Term 2015, with many of the designated parking spaces for disabled staff members and other reserved spaces relocated to Farrer Avenue, on the other side of the LEC.
