New Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Centre at Tel Aviv University

CONCEPT
New place for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology that will engage, inspire and encourage different audiences and redefine the paradigm of the laboratory building by creating flexible and modular laboratories supplemented by a generous space for communication and collaboration.

CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS
Structure
— a structure with regular spans and columns penetrating the clean room slab (the columns 
are separated from the slab);
— concrete frame, columns and shear walls supporting full depth flat slabs or waffle slabs;
— concrete walls around staircases, elevators, shafts and some of the technical rooms uti
lized as stiffening cores.

Foundation
— shallow foundations under the columns and mat-slab foundations under the stiffening cores;
— foundations supporting the clean room substructure completely separated from other foundations supporting the main structure.

Facade
— glazed envelope protected and framed by a second white exterior skin, consisting of an efficient grid of vertical and horizontal components interweaving with the main structure of the building;
— grid consisting of large-format but light prefabricated elements, made of textile reinforced concrete;
— glazed surfaces maximizing the use of natural light and improving the thermal balance of the building.

CLEANROOM AND LABORATORIES
— the socalled ‘magic box’ based on a modular grid allows future changes to laboratories;
— all laboratories serviced from a shaft with util- ities such as electricity, gas, water, HVAC that encircles the ‘magic box’;
— the cleanroom floor slab is completely separated from the structure above it, which isolates the cleanroom area from vibration.

ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABILITY
— passive warming of the structure in winter months, sun protection in summertime;
— use of the thermal mass of the building;
— natural ventilation;
— shaft wall concept potentially allowing to save 
30 cm in the height of the ceiling’s build-up as all laboratories are fed directly from the shaft.

Total Gross Area (m2) 7 736 Building height (m) 22.3