Center for Molecular Biosciences (ZMB)
A new Center for Molecular Biosciences (ZMB) has been built on the campus of the Christian-Albrechts University (CAU) in Kiel. The layout of new building is based on three circular arcs, each with a different radius. The concave-convex curved facade, constructed from gold-painted expanded-metal segments, has an irregular, vibrant pattern of storey-high windows. The ZMB provides some 3,100 square metres of usable floor area on five storeys for 80 researchers.
A roof light provides a central staircase and lift with daylight. On an orthogonal core, each floor is divided into two corridors and a series of rooms that are bounded by the free-form shape of the facade. The researchers‘ workplaces are supplied with gases, data and electrical power through a service wing attached to the ceiling slab. The laboratory furniture can be varied and adapted to suit new research tasks and equipment.
The storey-high windows supply daylight into the depth of the rooms. A lecture theatre on the top floor allows dialogue between researchers, industry and the public. Up to three start-up companies can lease space on the third floor. The new ZMB building at Kiel opens new avenues for research in the field of applied life sciences.
