International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi

The International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Karachi appointed the practice to design two purpose-built research facilities. Both are ground plus one, and both are laboratory buildings before they are anything else.

The Latif Ebrahim Jamal Nanotechnology Center covers 24,150 sq ft on a plot of 22,919 sq ft. Nanotechnology work sets the plan: controlled research environments, vibration and contamination tolerances that decide where equipment can sit, and a services route that can be reached for maintenance without entering the laboratories it serves.

The National Facility of Laboratory for Animal Research and Care at the PCMD covers 3,600 sq m on a plot of 3,496 sq m. Animal research is regulated on movement: clean and soiled routes may not cross, and staff, animals and materials each need their own path through the building. The plan is organised around those separations, with the monitoring, care and associated laboratory functions arranged inside them.