Posted: 07 November 2007
Re-development project heralds new science facilities at Belfield
The first phase of the re-development of the UCD Science Centre has started with the complete refurbishment of the initial phase of Science Centre South (adjacent to the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology).
Working closely with the chemists, RKD Architects (Dublin) and Wilson Architects and Lab Planners (Boston) have designed facilities that will provide for approximately 50 researchers. The new facilities will include: laboratories, write-up spaces, shared equipment rooms and a large number of fume extraction hoods, essential for research in synthetic chemistry (see associated image, section marked A1).
Most of the current research activity has been relocated from the existing laboratories to other parts of the Science Centre South to enable this part of the re-development project. The installation of the new façade and the laboratory fit-out, which will commence in January next, is scheduled for completion by September 2008. The laboratory plans for this phase are on public display in the Science Project Office (adjacent to the Science Programme Office in the Science Hub).
The completion of the remaining elements of Science Centre South will be supported by the recent PRTLI funding award for UCD Science. “This timely investment in 4th level and research infrastructure will ultimately contribute to Ireland’s development as a vibrant knowledge society,” said Dr Hugh Brady, President of UCD. The re-development will include provision for funded programmes in Nanoscience, Biopharmaceutical Sciences and Food and Health.
Definition of detailed space requirements associated with the PRTLI programme is on-going and it is expected that the overall redevelopment of the Science Centre South Building will be complete by early 2010.
€17,547,000 of the €29,838,000 award to UCD under PRTLI cycle 4 was tagged to capital infrastructure for funding the development of the UCD Science Centre.
