Description

This R&D centre at Sutarwadi, Pune comprises of R&D lab, plastic lab, analytical lab, administrative areas, analysts seating areas, multiple meeting and conference rooms. What started initially as 9000 sft area project, soon turned into an extended scope of retrofitting of other support areas

R&D lab has 30 fume hoods of two different sizes and types-Standard and walk-in fume hoods. The idea to introduce so many fume hoods at a time and in the given space was to inculcate the culture of safety in labs. Considering the climatic conditions evaporative cooling system with once-through methodology was proposed. The exhaust system of these fume hoods is clustered in two groups. Since the company deals in specialty chemicals, wet scrubber system for pollution control was planned and meticulously adopted at the time of execution. The lab also has spot extractors and canopy to enhance and achieve good ventilation. The existing labs mainly faced an issue of chemical odour throughout which made the working space uncomfortable to users. Plastic lab was isolated from rest of the areas and planned with an independent ventilation system. Equipment which had a mandate requirement of air-conditioning was given a room enclosure. Ink testing lab, dispersion room & weighing room were provided with propeller exhaust fans and gravity louvers. In addition to this, we introduced air-filtration units specially meant for labs in the ceiling called 'HALO'. It is a non-ductable unit that uses neutrodine-an activated carbon technology.
We also introduced a new concept-an independent ceiling suspended system to support utilities and reagent racks above the lab island table in this project. This added flexibility as it gives clear working space to the researchers to do their work-ups. This system has the provision of running services from their ends by way of service droppers. The modules under all the lab tables are on castors which meant that the tables can be moved anytime and be replaced by floor mounted equipment if needs arises.

To summarize, the designing and lab planning was done considering sustainability and good indoor air quality and at the same time maintaining flexibility in space planning & modularity in lab furniture