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Functional biology: providing an open forum for a closed scientific community, this new research institute in Dresden civilizes its large scale by inventive use of materials and light.


Biotechnology is one of the two specialist fields (the other being microelectronics), on which Dresden is rebuilding its post-1989 economy. The Max Planck Noun 1. Max Planck - German physicist whose explanation of blackbody radiation in the context of quantized energy emissions initiated quantum theory (1858-1947)
Max Karl Ernst Ludwig Planck, Planck
 Institute (MPI MPI - Message Passing Interface ) has assumed a leading role in 'Biopolis Dresden' by founding a new international molecular cell biology Cell biology

The study of the activities, functions, properties, and structures of cells. Cells were discovered in the middle of the seventeenth century after the microscope was invented.
 and genetic research centre. A made-to-measure building solution was speedily agreed on when a promising group of scientists threatened to move to a city more sensitive to their needs. Dresden's hospital handed over a site they had reserved for their future extension and the usual architectural competition process was dispensed with. The Finnish practice Heikkinen-Komonen were commissioned as architects, working with Munich-based HENN HENN Hennessey (cognac)  Architekten for their expertise on highly serviced buildings.

The new research institute is a post-genomic era organization operating in a global context. Over 300 scientists from 26 countries work in 25 groups mapping out cell biology. Geographically, Dresden is a convenient central European meeting point and the building site, between university medical faculty and hospital, was chosen to maximize multidisciplinary contacts. This is Germany, but the language of scientific exchange is English.

For Dresden, with its reputation for resisting contemporary architecture, Heikkinen-Komonen's pragmatic geometry, Yves Klein Yves Klein (28 April 1928 - 6 June 1962) was a French artist and is considered an important figure in post-war European art. New York critics of Klein's time classify him as neo-Dada, but other critics, such as Thomas McEvilley in an essay submitted to Artforum in 1982, have since  blue aluminium cladding, climate-ameliorating veil of green metal mesh and minimalist details are a novelty. A minor architectural revolution has taken place without comment, perhaps because the site is not among the Baroque chain of churches and palaces on the Elbe terraces, but in the less prominent suburb of Johannstadt.

A linear tract contains 9600 sqm of usable space split between three buildings. The laboratory block is the largest. Two geometrical statements, a spiral stairway stairway
 or staircase

Series or flight of steps that provides a means of moving from one level to another. The earliest stairways seem to have been built with walls on both sides, as in Egyptian pylons dating from the 2nd millennium BC.
 in a tube of perforated steel and a column of seminar rooms, rise through the full-height reception foyer. Bridges of immaculate fair-faced concrete connect two laboratory wings. A library and 300 seat auditorium open off the foyer which also contains a cafe and restaurant leading out to a garden terrace. In contrast to the functional laboratory 'homebases', each the domain of a professor and his team, every opportunity is taken to provide spaces and places where staff linger longer Linger longer is a card game related to Go boom. The aim of the game is to keep your cards for as long as possible. When you run out of cards you are eliminated from the game.  for productive discussion, informal Encounters and relaxation. During the recent World Cup, the auditorium screened games and in the roof-top pergola pergola

Garden walk or terrace typically formed by two rows of columns or posts roofed with an open framework of beams and cross rafters over which plants are trained. Its purpose is to provide a foundation on which climbing plants can be viewed and to give shade.
, smokers gathered for match post mortems [Latin, After death.] Pertaining to matters occurring after death. A term generally applied to an autopsy or examination of a corpse in order to ascertain the cause of death or to the inquisition for that purpose by the Coroner .  and to contemplate the river view.

The second block is a windowless building containing various controlled environments for animals, fly breeding and hatcheries. The third block, housing human visitors in hotel style bedsits and extra offices for the institute, has been divided into two terraces facing each other across a Japanese gravel garden. A horizontal timber screen runs across the two terrace gables to create a measure of privacy and sustain the illusion of a single structure.

Architectural clarity is deceptive. Complex inner working maintain several climatic zones. Heating is supplied from a district circuit but ventilation needs are individually designed and must be segregated. Laboratory effluents are tested for their pH value before being released into the sewage system sewage system

Collection of pipes and mains, treatment works, and discharge lines (sewers) for the wastewater of a community. Early civilizations often built drainage systems in urban areas to handle storm runoff.
. Hazardous wastes are stored in tanks before being collected for processing. Perimeter circuits, for water, steam, and gas supplies, allow for flexible laboratory replanning and there are no suspended ceilings, to simplify maintenance. An in-house power station provides steam for sterilizers and humidifiers and an emergency system maintains experiments, saves data, and runs safety functions. Sensitively reconciling the dichotomy of universal scientific knowledge with the secrecy required to protect patents worth millions, Heikkinen-Komonen's building provides an open forum for a closed community.

RELATED ARTICLE: Architect

Heikkinen-Komonen Architects, Helsinki

Associate architect

HENN Architekten

Structural engineer

G. Scholz + Partner

Services engineer

Jaeger jaeger (yā`gər), common name for several members of the family Stercorariidae, member of a family of hawklike sea birds closely related to the gull and the tern. The skua is also a member of this family. , Mornhinweg + Partner

Landscape architect

Petzold

Photographs

Jussi Tiainen
COPYRIGHT 2002 EMAP Architecture
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2002, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Title Annotation:related article: Architect; Max Planck Institute
Author:Dawson, Layla
Publication:The Architectural Review
Article Type:Brief Article
Geographic Code:4EUGE
Date:Aug 1, 2002
Words:599
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