Project Value:- A$1.4m

Client:- National Institute for Biological Standards & Control

The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) have commenced construction of their Influenza Resource Centre (IRC). The centre develops and provides viruses and reagents for seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine production. The external envelope was the subject of strict planning requirements because of its visual impact on the elevated site within a rural environment.

Planning authorities were keen to ensure that the building blended in with the surrounding environment and a requirement was that a timber cladding system was utilised.

This presented the design team with huge challenges of producing an aesthetically acceptable building to the planning authorities and providing the performance criteria for a strictly controlled internal environment to house the high tech laboratories. The timber cladding material selected was 'Sweet Chestnut', a locally sourced and environmentally sustainable material. In order to achieve the performance criteria, a Kalzip insulated roof and cladding system was specified and Teamkal Contractor, Rossway Dowd Limited were commissioned to undertake the work.