Biological Sciences Research Building, University of Galway

The Biological Sciences Research Building forms part of a wider campus expansion programme, delivering a highly serviced laboratory environment alongside teaching and support spaces. The brief required a flexible and future-proof design to accommodate evolving research needs, incorporating wet laboratories, an animal facility, and associated academic spaces. Balancing complex servicing requirements with a design that promotes openness, collaboration and daylight was central to the project.

The building is designed to the highest environmental standards, achieving NZEB compliance, a BER A rating and BREEAM Very Good certification. An innovative façade strategy incorporates solar shading through specialist glazing with integrated timber blinds, reducing heat gain and supporting natural ventilation. Circulation spaces, offices and the central atrium are naturally ventilated, acting as a thermal buffer to the mechanically serviced laboratories and contributing to an overall efficient environmental strategy.

The project demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable construction, with extensive use of prefabrication and exposed building services reducing material use and embodied carbon. The layout is informed by optimised teaching and laboratory modules, maximising daylight and passive ventilation. External landscaping provides high-quality amenity spaces, including sheltered social areas and accessible green spaces for staff and students. The result is a high-performance research facility that supports collaboration, wellbeing and innovation.