Iowa State University

Client Need:

This project involved the remodel of an existing lab in the west wing of the Food Sciences building into an updated teaching lab for students in the Food Sciences program. The department challenged our team to design a layout that could accommodate the equipment required for alternating micro-biology and food chemistry courses, while maximizing the capacity of students.

BBS Approach:

Our team worked diligently with the department to develop a thorough understanding of how the space would be used for each course. Attention to detail was critical in developing a layout which provides proper equipment adjacencies, as well as an efficient casework design to satisfy all storage needs.

Solution:

Along with the functional needs of the space, the project’s generous donor inspired us to produce a design that instills excitement for learning and encourages students to pursue careers in the food science industry. Together with the department and the donor, we were able to select finishes that provided a wow factor, while being durable and budget-friendly.

As the lab is on the second floor of a three-story building, our engineers were presented with a unique challenge of routing exhaust services from the four new fume hoods up to the roof. With the scope of work physically extending into the floors above and below the remodeled space, extensive on-site investigation and coordination was required to properly include the work in the bid documents.