A new 678,000-sf veterinary building has completed at the Norwegian University of Life Science's (NMBU) Campus Ås. The Henning Larsen-designed project brings together research facilities and teaching space for veterinary medicine in one of the most advanced veterinary buildings in Europe. The project represents the largest overall development in the university and college sector in Norway’s history.
The Veterinary Building at Campus Ås is eight distinct but linked buildings that unites previously disparate resources. The building includes over 2,400 rooms across the approximately 678,000 sf space, rarely rising over four stories. It is subdivided into eight wings that are distributed between the building’s two primary programs: the Norwegian Veterinary Institute and the Norwegian University of Life Science.
The sensitive and hazardous spaces within the campus, such as the Veterinary Building’s laboratories for infectious disease research and surgical suites, are bound to the center and protected by a permeable barrier of public program that rings the campus’ exterior. The building is also broken into smaller modules that can be individually locked down if needed.
Researchers, faculty, students, and visiting experts can meet and learn from each other in social spaces that are spread throughout the building’s stables, aquariums, animal clinics, hydrotherapy pools, riding halls, BSL 3 laboratories, autopsy rooms, classrooms, offices, libraries, and canteens.
The Veterinary Building’s facade is made of over 300,000 hand-cut bricks, each coal fired to give them an individual sheen and texture. The reddish-brown hue of the bricks matches the surrounding campus structures, some of which date back to the campus’ founding in 1859. Native plants surround the bulk of the new building and can also be found atop the building, where sedum roofs support an insect habitat.
The project, which was developed for Statsbygg in cooperation with Multiconsult, Fabel Arkitekter, Link Arkitektur, and Erichsen + Horgen, officially opened on Sept. 1, 2021. It houses approximately 700 students and almost 1,000 employees.
Related Stories
Laboratories | Feb 8, 2022
A new concept for science buildings emphasizes construction speed and design flexibility
The NEXT prototype—devised by Gensler, KPFF, and Buro Happold—also leans toward decarbonization and wellness.
Laboratories | Jan 28, 2022
3 must-know strategies for developers in today’s life sciences industry
While the life sciences industry had been steadily growing, this growth exploded when the pandemic arrived—and there is no indication that this lightning-fast pace will slow down any time soon.
Laboratories | Jan 17, 2022
A health crisis gives life to life sciences
Construction and renovation projects are heaviest in markets with consistent talent streams.
University Buildings | Jan 11, 2022
Designing for health sciences education: supporting student well-being
While student and faculty health and well-being should be a top priority in all spaces within educational facilities, this article will highlight some key considerations.
Giants 400 | Dec 31, 2021
2021 Science and Technology Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. S+T facilities sector
HDR, CRB, Jacobs, Skanska USA, and Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. top the rankings of the nation's largest science and technology (S+T) sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2021 Giants 400 Report.
Laboratories | Nov 18, 2021
Tapping into the life sciences building boom
Paul Ferro of Form4 Architecture discusses how developers are pivoting to the life sciences sector, and what that means for construction and adaptive reuse.
2021 Building Team Awards | Nov 17, 2021
Caltech's new neuroscience building unites scientists, engineers to master the human brain
The Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena wins a Gold Award in BD+C's 2021 Building Team Awards.
Laboratories | Nov 17, 2021
New report finds a biopharma industry being reshaped by disruption
Industry respondents to CRB’s survey weigh in on project delivery, digitization, and off-site manufacturing for life sciences construction.
Laboratories | Oct 14, 2021
‘Next-generation’ Quest Diagnostics lab unveiled in New Jersey
Mark Cavagnero Associates designed the project.
Laboratories | Aug 31, 2021
Pandemic puts science and technology facilities at center stage
Expanding demand for labs and life science space is spurring new construction and improvements in existing buildings.