News
R&D Redux: Mountbatten Nanotechnology Electronics Research Complex Rises from the Ashes with World-Class Laboratories
By: Michael Cowger
Source: IDC Architects
Southampton, United Kingdom, 17 December, 2008—On 31 October 2005, the Mountbatten Complex burned down in an unexpected fire. Just as quickly, however, plans were made to renew the facility, and construction began in April 2007. Now delivery of this world-class research and development and teaching facility is complete.
As the flagship laboratory for the University of Southampton, The Mountbatten Complex is one of the world’s leading centers for research and development (R&D), teaching, and innovation in electronics, electrical engineering, nanotechnology research, and computer science.
Home to 250 students and researchers, the Mountbatten Complex coordinates silicon, nanotechnology, and biotech research and processes. Modular laboratories provide access to cleanrooms, supporting multi-disciplinary research and development. The University of Southampton nano-fabrication facility will allow scientific researchers to collaborate with colleagues across the U.K. and the world. Additionally, through public-private partnerships, scientists plan to organize some research directly with industry.
The design team was led by IDC Architects/CH2M HILL, with sub-consultants Jestico and Whiles, Gifford, LWF, STMC, Plincke, and David Bonnett Associates. The Complex also features high-performance sustainable design. Facility design minimizes its footprint while admitting maximum natural light for office and research spaces. The building plan maximizes sustainable materials and minimizes energy consumption through an evaporation-free cooling system, variable frequency drives and high-efficiency motors on the engineering systems, natural ventilation, and recirculation of rainwater to minimize chemical usage associated with softening cleanroom-use water.