Light-filled and open, the Undergraduate Teaching Labs put interdisciplinary learning on display. Ballinger designed the active learning and research facility for Johns Hopkins University’s biology, chemistry, neuroscience and biophysics departments.
The facility is an addition to the existing Mudd Levi Biology complex that engages an adjacent lushly-landscaped garden. An expansive glass facade provides visual access to the garden from the classroom and lab spaces within, putting discovery on display to the adjacent pedestrian pathway. A student commons serves as the primary entrance from the existing building, and functions as a lounge and study space for students and faculty.
The project achieved LEED Platinum certification through an emphasis on energy efficiency, sustainable site development, and interior environmental quality, using 50% less energy than similar lab buildings. The innovative and award-winning systems deliver fume hood intensive laboratories without requiring reheat energy. DOAS units with dual energy recovery wheels deliver neutral dehumidified air to the labs via both ducted and non-ducted paths. Exhaust for over 100 high performance fume hoods is provided via venturi valve galleries which are readily maintainable and isolated acoustically providing an outstandingly quiet learning environment.
The building was delivered in phases, starting with instructional laboratories, then a computational core, and finishing with the research and vivarium space. After completion of the new addition, Ballinger engineered the replacement of the mechanical/electrical infrastructure for the existing Mudd Levi Biology laboratory complex while keeping the entire facility in operation.
