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Nanoscience Centre of Excellence
Sri Lanka / Homagama6.83,80.04
Client Name: Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology - SLINTEC
Project website: www.slintec.lk
Project Description
The SLINTEC, Nanotechnology park is one of the pioneering visions of the greater ‘knowledge hub’ development plan for Homagama creating a unique opportunity to house research incubation and technology commercialization in one setup that functions to both the public and private sectors. The building is a catalyst for scientific research putting Sri Lanka on the map for science and technology with the state of the art facility being the signature trademark for the nanotechnology park that is to proceed in the future master-plan.
Building Details
Institutional
New building project
205000 m²
5
12500 m²
11200 m²
3500 m²
LEED (USGBC) Platinum
EURO 91500
EURO 480
2013
2013
Project Team
Arch International Pvt Ltd
http://archinternational.net/
Tudawe Brothers
Arch International Pvt Ltd
Arch International Pvt Ltd
Environ Sustainability Globe Pvt Ltd
Arch International Pvt Ltd
Environ Sustainability Globe Pvt Ltd
Arch International Pvt Ltd
Climate Analysis
Homagama as is Colombo, has tropical monsoon climate and has sunny days throughout the year. The city temperatures varies between 24-31 C throughout the year. During the monsoon season, Homagama gets heavy rainfalls. Usually April to May and September to November records highest rainfall figures.
Design Approach
The SLINTEC, Nanotechnology park is one of the pioneering visions of the greater ‘knowledge hub’ development plan for Homagama creating a unique opportunity to house research incubation and technology commercialization in one setup that functions to both the public and private sectors. The building is a catalyst for scientific research putting Sri Lanka on the map for science and technology with the state of the art facility being the signature trademark for the nanotechnology park that is to proceed in the future master plan.
The Nano-science center of excellence is located on a high ground with an elevation overlooking the surroundings of the planned nanotechnology park. It is a catalyst building which is to sprung open the new investments and research tenants for the nano park. The building is of the 1st phase of 3 phase development. The Surrounding developments in the close vicinity is predominately technological and educational institutions and is apart of the "Knowledge hub" - Homagama, vision.
The hexagonal plan profile encloses a quadrangular atrium that is covered by a pyramidal skylight & opens up a triangular courtyard that generates a skeletal curved three member tower converging to a singular point pinnacle spire depicting the play of polygons and shapes inspired by Carbon’s molecular structures that is observed at nanoscopic levels. The center is composed of five levels. The ground floor comprises of public areas and the financing and incubation areas. A Basement houses a one of a kind vibration-proof underground laboratory for housing ultra-sensitive electronic microscopes. Offices for scientists and management is located on the first floor while the second floor takes you through laboratory facilities and further areas for research. Finally a roof terrace level acts as the podium for services and a solar array topped with the 3 pronged iconic tower. The large Atrium dominates the design being a source of light and ventilation that acts as a link both physically and visually to all levels of the building. Strategies such as lush green landscaping, courtyards, creation of natural ventilation through drafts and stack effect, use of evaporative cooling, shading devices, Rainwater harvesting, Green rated fixtures, Alternative Energy source of a 102 kW Solar Array were all initially designed around as key principal requirements to achieve the highest sustainability.
Document
Special Feature
80% of the functioning hours are using daylight since the building optimizes use of natural light. The second skin provides shading.
The water utilised for evaporative cooling is collected at the central courtyard from the run-off from the roof of the building. The rest is re-directed to the extensive external garden.
Given the sensitive nature of the function, a major portion of the usable areas are Air-conditioned. The use of indoor pools and open courtyards contribute to evaporative cooling methods whilst an open plan allows for cross ventilation thus ensuring the coolest possible indoor temperatures. The shading device is in the form of an external skin that minimizes heat gain while not compromising on the amount of daylight that penetrates the interiors. The open to sky courtyards incorporates the draft and stack effect thus creating natural ventilation and pushing warm air out from the top.Solar panels on the roof level ensure the highest achievable sustainability throughout the building.
The use of indoor pools and open courtyards contribute to evaporative cooling methods whilst an open plan allows for cross ventilation thus ensuring the coolest possible indoor temperatures. The shading device is in the form of an external skin that minimizes heat gain while not compromising on the amount of daylight that penetrates the interiors. The open to sky courtyards incorporates the draft and stack effect thus creating natural ventilation and pushing warm air out from the top.Solar panels on the roof level ensure the highest achievable sustainability throughout the building.
The external skin of the building is a modular shading device to minimize solar exposure and gain, thereby reducing the energy demand of the internal air-conditions that is compulsory for the scientific instrumentation. Climatic models suggest a drop of 1 to 2 degrees in temperature with the skin and thermal coating for exposed glass.
Building Material
RCC frame structure supports a steel frame for the roof and external skin
RCC
Prefabricated Aluminum Skin with Modular units, on exterior face, followed by brick walls, and internal partitions with Aluminum framework and Glass
Aluminum frame work and Glass
RCC slabs are covered with homogeneous tiles, with special consideration for clean room labs.
Zinc Aluminum Sheet natural finish and highest reflective index on Concrete beams and steel purlins, Foil insulation layer, Gypsum board ceiling with Aluminum structure
Energy systems
All light fitting are LED or fluorescent.
LED Sensor controlled
n/a
VRV Air Conditioning System with zone climate control and user detection units.
yes
2 Nos of 50 kW systems with Net metering facility. Rough Power generation 11,000 units per month which is approximately 30% of the building consumption
Lessons Learned
The greatest challenge was in dealing with the specific technological, functional needs, while integrating passive techniques to reduce the overall impact of the building solution.