DSM Rosalind Franklin Biotechnology Center

clients(s)

dsm food specialties delft

location

Delft

users(s)

DSM

Chemical and biotechnology company DSM is a leader in innovative knowledge economy. Their existing Beijerinck laboratory in Delft dating from 1984 became too small and no longer met DSM’s requirements and needs. For this reason, cepezed designed a new Biotechnology Center with laboratories and offices.

cepezed first drew up the master plan for the redevelopment of DSM’s Delft location. We also drew up the schedule of requirements for the new Biotechnology Center. In addition, we designed the laboratory.

Situatietekening dsm rosalind franklin biotechnology center cepezed

The functions

The redevelopment of the Delft location includes a reconfiguration of the circulation routes and a reorganization of functions. These allow DSM Delft to easily expand in the future.

We aimed for optimal efficiency in the use of certain zones in the Biotechnology Center, such those which require a permit for activities in a higher environmental category.

Zitplekken dsm rosalind franklin biotechnology center cepezed

Atrium trappen dsm rosalind franklin biotechnology center cepezed

Labaratorium dsm rosalind franklin biotechnology center cepezed

The Biotechnology Center

The Biotechnology Center at DSM’s Delft location has been designed to be as clean-cut and compact as possible. There is a sharp division between the offices and laboratories. The building has a structural design with large spans; as a result, the floor slabs have as few columns as possible. They can also be arranged extremely flexibly.

The building has been realized in the continuation of the DSM Food Innovation Centre and Wetering office and is also functionally and physically connected to the latter. The new-build occupies circa 13,425 m² gross floor area. This includes offices and laboratories in category ML1 and above.

Laboratories

On the side of the laboratories, the heart of the building is reserved for a stabilizing core containing shafts and building services. Also positioned there are functions which do not require much natural light, such as storage and equipment areas.

Onderzoeksruimte dsm rosalind franklin biotechnology center cepezed

Fragment dsm rosalind franklin biotechnology center cepezed

Atrium dsm rosalind franklin biotechnology center cepezed

Offices and atrium

On the side where DSM’s offices are located, the building’s centre contains an atrium, which includes a panorama lift.

Daylight for DSM

The workspaces have been organized along the vertically articulated façades, which have an open-closed ratio of 2:1 and floor-to-ceiling glass. As a result, the staff enjoy plenty of daylight and a pleasant feeling of spaciousness. The free height of no less than 3.20 metres also contributes to the spatial experience.

At certain places where specific research is carried out, the preference is for less daylight. Here, the open-closed ratio is 1:1. Interior sun shades have been integrated into the façade, which are cleanly detailed and combined with air extraction.