Des Moines, IA
A signature structure, the first addition to this facility efficiently and impressively houses research and development laboratories, a greenhouse, a pilot production room, and offices for the manufacturing of animal and human food additives, vitamins, and preservatives. The new facility enveloped three sides of the existing structure, leaving only one remaining visible side. A new brick façade on the old structure effectively blends the old with the new, creating the illusion of a completely new structure with less cost.
The two-story, glassed atrium serves as the main entrance and lobby and creates a naturally lit, open and spacious environment welcoming visitors from around the world. The atrium brings the outdoor environment in as a contrast to the sterility of the interior research and development spaces and provides light into internal offices. The 18,000-square foot facility utilizes a floor plan that is efficient to staff. The addition contains laboratories for chemistry, food grade products, bioresearch, and fermentation.
The bio-research laboratories are on a separately contained heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system (HVAC). The project includes over a dozen fume hood exhaust systems, laminar flow hoods, and bio-safety cabinets. Paralleling the main vehicular arterial, the structure successfully screens the industrial structures inside the campus from passersby and proudly displays the face of the corporate headquarters to the world.
The green house was removed and a 9,000 square foot addition of open office area and new pilot plant was added. The addition was skillfully designed to blend with the existing building. This addition effectively maximizes the existing laboratories and provides an open, collaborative, naturally lit office environment for Kemin’s research staff. The in-floor radiant heating system and under floor routed power and communication systems provide a flexible work environment with 120 degree workstations that create openness and meandering walkways,spurring collaboration.
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tags: industrial facility, laboratory