KINO architects: spiralab chemical research laboratory

‘spiralab’ by KINO architects, chiba, japanimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici anoall images courtesy of KINO architects

japanese practice KINO architects has just completed the new ‘spiralab’ chemical research laboratory in chiba, japan. based on four basic principles set by the material development corporation, the project was to communicate research efficiency, high-security, comfort, and symbolism. in response, the architects arranged the laboratories, offices, meeting rooms, auditorium and reception area in a linear fashion with a shared corridor running through the entire structure to service all the program, ending at the public entrances on either end.

to fulfill the symbolic requirement of ‘spiralab’, the linear organization was then bent into a spiral, using its horizontal and vertical layering as a way for the architecture to not only visually represent the company, but allow it to improve the work done inside.three structural cores contain the public and private stair wells and services that feed the different functions on each floor.

second and third floors supported above the first leaving a small airspace for ventilation into the experiment roomsimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano

the offices and meeting rooms require a higher level of confidentiality so they are located on the second floor with their own entrance, physically separated from the guest areas and exhibition, and the research labs on the third floor. break areas are inserted into widened sections of the main hallway to create large light-filled social areas for researches to relax, overlooking a central courtyard.

the experiment rooms on the entry level and third storey are set up on a modular grid to allow the scientists to organize the interior partitions based on their specific needs. the circular layering of spaces also means that the first level contains a small open mezzanine space which was used for air and ventilation inlets and natural light for the labs. the skin is made up of a vertical lattice structure with angled members at 3º, 6º and 12º that support the curtain wall sections and concrete panels.

street-side elevationimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano