Share thisThe new research facility “type” is aquatic — and with the introduction of water into the research environment, a new set of room design parameters is rising to the surface of the industry.
Zebrafish are the forerunner of aquatic research models, and the laboratories that house them are now pioneering the adaptation of the animal research facility to suit the aquatic model. Each new facility is building upon the experience of the previous. In the process, we are finding out what separates the aquatic lab from its predecessors.
Much can be learned from the development of non-aquatic research facilities over the past several decades. Efficient floor plans and dynamic workspace go hand in hand in these modern facilities, yielding the most out of every square foot. For example, the advent of rack and workstations that can be fully repositioned within a space has allowed animal density to be further increased without adverse effect on workflow. Such innovations raise the bar for aquatics and suggest that equal achievement be seen in this new research facility “type.” It is apparent, however, that many of these innovations do not transfer directly to aquatics.
Unlike their dry counterparts, the racks and workstations of aquatic facilities are constrained by their locations. Water supply and return lines are hardwired to individual racks and must run at specific locations within the room to avoid conflict with circulation pathways. The weight of the water in the system, let alone the added mass of the racks and tanks themselves, also make it impractical to reconfigure the layout. As a result, racks are often located only once and do not move for the life of the system. In addition, workstations are usually kept adjacent to sinks or over floor drains to facilitate water management. Their locations are dependent upon the static layout of the racks and the existing infrastructure of the room. These types of constraints have a direct effect on workflow. Whole tank transfer from rack location to workstation becomes commonplace. Often, sets of tanks are gathered from their rack positions and carted with water and fish to a workspace located elsewhere in the room. Without planning, the static nature of the facility can encourage hotspots of activity where carts, researchers, and staff are likely to congest.
A facility design must account for the permanent nature of an aquatic rack layout and the substantial demands placed upon circulation throughout the space. Facility capacity, flexibility, and efficiency all hinge on the effectiveness of the room design to accomplish programmatic goals within unique constraints. Overarching these expectations is the aspiration to create a facility that can reach beyond its initial program. An ideal facility will be able to embrace growth beyond expectations and accommodate changes in research focus, while also facilitating the intangible. User interaction will be fostered by the subtle nuances of flow throughout the research environment, and the quality of research itself will be inspired by the architecture of the space and systems that support it.
The Density Equation
Whether a facility is being planned as part of a new construction project or is lobbying for square footage within an existing building, the floor area of the facility is often a major limiting factor to the resource. Creating an optimal layout for the fish room within any given footprint is paramount in optimizing the effectiveness of the facility.