Albany Medical College commissioned Hyman Hayes Associates to design 6,200 sf of generic laboratory space for use by several different departments. Although the users would potentially be from different departments, they shared various common functional requirements.

The $530,000-project created five new 800-sf laboratories by demolishing several smaller, outdated laboratories. The labs were designed with common services (glass wash area and miscellaneous equipment) at the front, a fume hood in one rear corner and space for a bio-safety cabinet in the other rear corner. Casework with wall cabinets or reagent shelving occupied the remainder of the lab at the perimeter and with two rows of peninsula casework. Student/ technician workstations were provided at the center peninsula casework. One general use sink was provided at the end of a peninsula and gases and electrical outlets were plentiful throughout the lab.

To free up floor space, reduce heat load in the lab, and to allow sharing of large equipment a central common equipment room with access from opposite sides was provided. Researcher offices were grouped together outside the labs for safety and to promote interaction with colleagues.