Doherty Hall
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
300,400 square feet
The renovated science building is a testament to the changing pedagogies in undergraduate chemistry. An increased level of collaboration between scientific disciplines necessitates that the physical environment of the teaching laboratories allow for teaming and interaction. Reconfigured workstations with relocatable lab tables encourage students to work together. Maximum systems flexibility is achieved via exposed overhead utilities. User safety considerations include separation of student and chemical paths, unobstructed sight lines, and ease of movement around the work surfaces and in accessing utilities. The use of angled work benches supports teaming while forming unrestrictive enclosures. To reduce the environmental impact of the laboratories, true VAV fume hood systems are used with hoods that require less air movement.
