IDC Architects

Clemson University's Advanced Materials Research Laboratory (AMRL) is a flexible academic research space designed to serve a variety of high technology laboratories. The 111,000 SF building accommodates nanotechnology labs, electronic instrument device labs, laser labs, chemistry labs, and clean room space to be used for educational activities and industry research. We provided architecture, engineering, and construction administration, and worked with lab planning and vibration consultants to create a dynamic state-of-the-art academic research space.

AMRL is the cornerstone of Clemson's critical initiative in promoting advanced materials research grants and attracting top researchers (endowed chairs). The space supporting these endeavors includes research areas, faculty and student offices, meeting rooms, and a comfortable two-story central lobby. The lobby is designed as a gathering area for the sharing and exchange of ideas between researchers of diverse disciplines.

We worked with design considerations including flexible laboratory space, extensive air distribution systems serving 66 lab hoods, a draw tower for fiber optic research, and a crystal growth facility. The electron microscopy research area demanded stringent vibration, acoustic, and electromagnetic interference criteria. We met these criteria with isolated floor slabs, acoustic dampening, and electronic shielding.

The facility is intended to attract researchers and industry leaders in order to meet the university's goal of becoming one of the top 20 public universities in engineering. To achieve this goal, in addition to the technical considerations, considerable emphasis was placed on aesthetic values, the use of quality construction materials, and sustainability. AMRL earned LEED® Silver Certification for its comprehensive high-performance sustainable design and became the first LEED® certified nanotechnology lab in the United States.