Life Sciences Incubator
Life Sciences Incubator identity Story by Silo Life Sciences Incubator identity
Copyright Mecanoo architecten
Life Sciences Incubator identity Story by Silo Life Sciences Incubator identity

Life Sciences Incubator

Mecanoo as Architects

With its wide variety of distinct buildings, the Utrecht Science Park is a microcosm of modern architecture. To fit into its surroundings, Mecanoo has designed the new Life Sciences Incubator (LSI) with horizontal layers, while the detailed glazed facade adds a unique touch.


Accessibility, flexibility, and efficiency The LSI is a business centre for start-ups and more established companies in the bioscience field and consists of both laboratories and offices. Accessibility, flexibility and efficiency have been central in developing a building with a professional, functional appearance. To accommodate future change in the number of participating companies in the LSI, the building is designed to use space efficiently.


Bridges and staircases The LSI is a transparent and inviting building. The slanted facade withsolar control glazing acts as a natural sun and heat block. Usingsustainable materials positively impacts the life cycle costs. The use of glass panels reduces the costs for replacement and maintenance. A special feature in the design is the light and airy central atrium. An ensemble of bridges and staircases housing integrated meeting spots have been designed to encourage interdisciplinary cooperation.


Outstanding sustainability score The 6,200m2 building has a joint entrance with the existing Alexander NumanBuilding, the incubator complex next door. Analysing the sustainability score and life cycle costs for each design decision has resulted in an integrated design. The team has achieved BREEAM Outstanding certification for the LSI, making it the first laboratory building in the Netherlands with this score.The design and built of the LSI is a collaboration between Mecanoo and GiesbersOntwikkelenenBouwen.

Life Sciences Incubator identity

Silo as Spatial branding

The Life Sciences Incubator (LSI) is a business centre for start-ups in the bioscience field and will consist of both laboratories and offices. In cooperation with Mecanoo, SILO developed a spatial identity, designed for privacy regulation on all the glass walls in the central atrium.

 

In life, all living things are highly organized and structured. Silo divided the building floors into different scales, following a hierarchy that can be examined from small to large, and from micro to macro. The building blocks consist of a selection of atomic elements from the Periodic Table. Brought together they shape a magical, organic network of life.

 

‘Scanning’ the heart of the LSI building gives an insight into the world of science, making the invisible visible. Visitors, researchers, students, teachers, employees etc. become part of this wonderful world of life science. By using processing algorithms SILO designed a method to create unique evolving patterns, regulating the transparency of the glass and adding identity to the building.

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