University of British Columbia, Life Sciences Institute, Vancouver BC
/ Diamond Schmitt & Associates and Bunting Cody Architects

situation:

The UBC Life Sciences Institute is an interdisciplinary biological research environment, housing a variety of activities with the potential to interfere with each other’s functions.

assessment:

The basement, where the mechanical room is located, also contains labs with vibration sensitive electron microscopes, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) units. Research mice, also sensitive to noise, are in a basement vivarium.

Above ground, distance learning (using audio and video) is key for two lecture theatres and a large lab. These highly noise sensitive spaces are served by ventilation systems directly below. Other sensitive spaces include a large atrium for lectures and functions, a number of mid-size lecture theatres and the Problem Based Learning suite for medical students. Displacement ventilation systems were used extensively.

Other issues included noise from a large diesel generator installation and fume exhaust fans.

solution:

The vibration sensitive equipment in the basement was installed on individual bases on grade, with adequate physical separation and vibration isolation for the mechanical equipment and elevators. The vivarium design considered the additional constraint of eliminating all sound absorption material.

CATT acoustic modeling was used to finesse the acoustic design of the lecture and lab spaces, including the atrium.

Noise from the diesel generator required extensive noise control. Silencing of the fume exhaust fans also underwent extensive scrutiny during the design and construction stages.