Official opening of new teaching labs, providing high spec facilities and a focal point for students
Teaching started in the new state-of-the-art teaching laboratories for Biomedical and Life Sciences (BLS) and the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC) at the beginning of the summer term.
Professor Sharon Huttly, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education, praised the new laboratories as a “fantastic achievement.”
“We announced work starting on this building a little over twelve months ago at the end of May 2014 and the building has been in use since March 2015. Here we are on the 16th June 2015 officially opening the facility,” said Professor Huttly.
The new building replaces existing old facilities in the Faraday building, these new laboratories now co-locate all of Biological Life Sciences and Environment Centre laboratory teaching into one part of campus, forming a real focal point for undergraduates from both departments.
The 2 ‘super labs’ house a maximum capacity of 216 students across two floors, incorporating preparatory rooms, general stores and other ancillary spaces. Both labs have been designed to be easily subdivided, allowing multiple disciplines to use the laboratories simultaneously and include the latest IT technology to aid teaching.
The construction has achieved its environmental aims of an excellent BREEAM rating and follows a low energy strategy which uses renewable energy as the last part of an approach to energy efficiency. Energy generating technologies such as photo-voltaic cells located on the roof have been included in the design of the building. Other striking environmental features include a ‘living wall’ just outside the main doors.
Professor Huttly said: “This fantastic achievement is down to the efforts of many people, too many to mention individually, however I would like to thank all who have helped to make this project such a success.”