KINO architects: spiralab chemical research laboratory
the research center features a lineal organization bent into an overlapping curving structure that bases it's architecture on efficiency, comfort, symbolism and security.
‘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
central courtyard provides light to all functionsimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
(left) visitor entrance where the structure touches the ground(right) air gap between the first and second floorsimages © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
guest entrance under the overhangimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
angled vertical structural latticeimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
image © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
offices and meeting roomsimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
image © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
office areaimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
exhibition space from visitor entranceimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
image © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
break area and security door (to the left)image © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
break area and corridorimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
image © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
images © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
image © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
experimental area set up on a simple gridimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
corridorimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
structural core containing the stairsimage © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
image © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
image © hiroyuki hirai, daici ano
site plan
floor plan / level 0
floor plan / level 1
floor plan / level 2
section
section
section
HVAC construction detail
elevation
elevation
elevation
elevation
program diagram
curving form diagram
skin structure diagram
structural cores
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