-! Figure 74 A typical wall bench. Facing page 47

ASPECTS OF LABORATORY PLANNING 47 that in the first stages of the project we needed to maintain as much planning flexibility as possible. Nevertheless, we believe that in the subsequent stages of the project this aspect may not be so important and we shall certainly consider the use of blockwork partitions. Having settled these points, which are common to the whole building, we were able to work on the arrangements in the individual laboratories. Generally, our object here has been to satisfy the scientist who has to work in them, providing him with benching and services required, and still retaining as much interchangeability between the laboratories as possible. Most of the laboratories on the 22 ft side of the building have been planned on the basis of a 5-module unit and the bench layout is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Principal features of the arrangement include: (a) Each bay has 25 ft of bench front. (b) Writing space is provided by the desk unit at the end of each bay. (c) The recognition of the fact that the last few feet of most peninsular benches are used for standing "dead" equipment, glassware, etc. We have consequently used this space and incorporated it at desk level into the writing area, to be used for books and files. (d) One of the five modules has been used to provide an office for the scientist in charge of the laboratory, together with a small balance room, and a general utility room. (e) Provision has been made for the larger equipment such as ovens, refrigerators and centrifuges which are used intermittently in the smaller rooms across the corridor. This leaves main working areas free of apparatus which occupies either valuable floor or bench space. (f) The fume cupboards and steam hoods back on to the corridor wall and are linked by a wall bench (Fig. 7) which provides space for instruments which are used normally by most of the staff working in the laboratory. (g) Safety considerations have caused us to provide two doors to each laboratory of this size. Each communicates with the central corridor, thus providing alternative escape routes in the event of an emergency. LABORATORY FURNITURE The laboratory benches are constructed of wood and the actual bench units stand on plinths which carry ventilation grilles in order to prevent excessive accumulation of heat within the benches from the underfloor