The Merkert Chemistry Labs project involved the renovation of two general chemistry teaching labs as well as a shared lab for general and analytical chemistry. The existing teaching laboratories, while innovative when constructed in 1991, were in significant disrepair and no longer aligned with the pedagogy of the chemistry department, which supports a strong relationship between instructors, teaching assistants and students. The project increased the lab capacity from 18 to 24 students per lab in order to serve both current and near-term projected chemistry enrollment. Additionally, the renovation replaced the bench top canopy hoods with perimeter fume hoods at a ratio of two students per fume hood in order to fundamentally improve sight lines and transparency within the labs while simultaneously embracing laboratory as classroom with focus directed towards a primary teaching wall.
Boston College
Merkert Chemistry Center, Laboratory Renovation
Project Statistics
LOCATION
Boston, MA / United States
COMPLETED
2013
TOTAL SQUARE FOOTAGE
6,500 GSF
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Chemistry Teaching Labs
PUBLICATIONS & CONFERENCES
RELATED LINKS
Team
Kevin B. Sullivan, FAIA
Principal-in-Charge
Robert C. Pasersky, AIA
Project Manager/Architect
The team determined that the most appropriate layout for the renovated general chemistry teaching labs is the traditional organic chemistry module with perimeter fume hoods and students seated in a bullpen configuration around an open, shared equipment area. The shared lab is optimized for analytical chemistry while not impeding its use as a third general chemistry lab. Linear island benches within the large lab are arranged in two clusters of 12 students with an expanded shared equipment zone in the center. In both labs, demonstration style fume hoods were selected with glass backs and sides due to the intensity of fume hoods within each lab and the necessity, in their perimeter configuration, of being, at times, located in front of the building’s existing windows. The transparent fume hoods help maximize the openness of the labs while optimizing perimeter space and maintaining a strong connection to the exterior, enabling as much natural light into the space as possible.
Photography © Keitaro Yoshioka
