The Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge

The state-of-the-art laboratory facilities recently opened at the Sainsbury Laboratory within the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens accommodates 120 scientists and support staff. The main lecture theatre, which forms a transparent forum-like core to the building, is part of the ‘internal street’ with double-height voids providing glimpses of the laboratories above. Theatreplan collaborated with architects Stanton Williams on the setting out and sightlines for the Lecture Theatre. Consideration was given to the type of lecture theatre seat, suitability of a raked or tiered auditorium, the level and position of presenters and audio-visual displays, as well as accessibility.

 Photo courtesy Stanton Williams