Thread of #sciArch: how architecture of science spaces is evaluated by the real scientists.

First, we consider concept of "butt-openable doors" also know as crash-bar. Crash bar is a superior option.

1) crash bar 2) regular handle

@AcademicChatter
1/N

Scientists are spending *a lot* of time pushing carts or carrying stuff in their hands. Being able to open doors using your butt makes it much easier to navigate spaces.

The problem persists: most doors are openable only in one direction so crash bar is only on one side 2/N

Double-hung doors that open in opposite directions, both sides with crash bar, are excellent (when possible) 3/N #sciArch

Speaking of doors. Front doors in modern research buildings is for some reason a major source of problems. They often don't close completely. They are heavy to open. The automatic, push-button ADA opening mechanism is annoyingly slow 4/N

We are using carts a lot, and most carts have hard plastic wheels. Do you know what doesn’t work with hard plastic wheel? Tile, brick, and any other pavement with ridges or texture. It makes noise and feels like tiny speedbumps #sciArch 5/N

Actual footage of me moving microscope between buildings using a cart. On the tiled floors inside or outside.

Anything less than asphalt or poured concrete is terrible

#sciArch 6/N

Do you know what scientists do apart from moving carts?
We create trash, spill liquids, and drop glassware on the ground. Glass breaks (just like our dreams).

What we need is an access to unlocked closet full of paper towels, rugs, brooms, and vacuums #sciArch 6/N

Speaking of messes. Something I've never seen in lab spaces is Central Vacuum System.
It is a vacuum cleaner but available everywhere in the building, just plug your hose in the wall and vôila - you have yourself a vacuum!

Why we need a closet full of general supplies:
People think scientists work 8-5 and facilities always restock in time. That is not true!
We often work when University is on holidays, and regularly run out of toilet paper/paper towels 8/N #sciArch

Since we are in the pooping territory (and I will have many takes here).
Universities are public spaces, almost parks! In the US there is a culture of *not* having public bathrooms. That's crazy! Architects can solve it while maintaining security. Use two doors!
#sciArch 9/N

Let's take a wee break
What should we cover next: more on bathrooms or pivot to security issues?
#sciArch 10/N

OK, let's talk bathrooms in research buildings #sciArch @AcademicChatter
We'll start small: Uni campus often is a public park. A lot of kids and adults visit it, and it's great.
Please, make bathrooms available for visitors.
Security can be solved with extra door:
11/N

Still peanuts:
we need place to put our stuff on (bags, water bottles etc). Airports have solved it by having shelves in the bathroom: #sciArch 12/N

Coronavirus is around us. But even after that, there are couple very useful tools that nobody uses:
- foot pedal for faucets and swishing toilet water
- foot pulls on doors
#sciArch 13/N

Here is the deal. Tampons and sanitary pads are a necessity. You need one in the worst time possible, it is never expected.

Design bathrooms in research buildings with dispenser!
If you have gendered bathrooms (you shouldn't) put dispenser in all bathrooms. #sciArch 14/N

One thing that shouldn't be controversial is baby-changing tables in all bathrooms.
One building manager told me "they* decided not to install them to discourage people from bringing kids to work"
Newsflash! There will be kids in your research building

#sciArch 15/N

People should be able to bring kids to work. It's okay. Even for short periods to show kids to their "lab family" and the kids will probably poop. Install tables.
Also, your large auditorium will definitely serve some public event, where people might come with kids. #sciArch 16/N

For bonus points, install setup with some spare emergency supplies #sciArch 17/N

There should be a shower in the research building.
We work 12hr days.
We sleep in the offices.
We work with animals.
We want to go for a workout and come back to work.
We fly for 12hrs for 8am meeting.

Install showers in research buildings
18/N #SciArch

We need access to back of the desk to mount monitor arms. None of that modern bullshit (3) with decor wall flush with the desk 19/N #sciArch

Conference rooms (whenever we'd go back there).
Glass walls look great on renderings with people sciencing inside, but it is super annoying for actual work.
What happened to switchable frosted glass? #sciArch 20/N

Another view at "butt-openable doors".
We use ID card to get access to rooms.
We often keep card in our pockets, or on a line attached to pocket. When hands are full, we need "touch" the card by just leaning to the reader. Instead today we had to jump 6-8in #sciArch 21/N

Great thing we’do see often enough: floor outlets in the dining areas. We do work through lunch! #sciArch 22/N

Do you like comfortable temperature in the lab?
Learn about BTU. AC with 1 BTU unit can take away 0.3W of heat. Humans radiate about 300BTU.

Server with 16 hard drives, CPU, and GPU releases ~1800BTU

Here is the kicker: code says AC can provide only 20BTU/sq ft
#sciArch 23/N

...But we usually run servers, lasers, heaters, controllers, and myriad other devices in the lab spaces, especially in microscopy labs. And we never have enough space, but architects need to ask us - how much BTU will you need? How much heat will you generate? #sciArch 24/N

Lab spaces trend towards hospital/factory lighting approach: a lot of light, everywhere, without much of shadow/light balance.

It does look good on renderings (1) but in reality we need and use more localized light sources (extreme case: 2)
#sciArch 25/N

In our opinion, door design needs to be improved, especially front doors. The doors are often heavy, and automatics are slow

While we encourage strength training, it doesn't need to be done daily.
Here are more reasonable doors with 10-25lbs "weight":

#sciArch 26/N

#ADA access is human access. We measured 10-25lbs today on campus

@ADANational says:
- "Interior doors should require no more than 5 lbs of force to open"

- "Typical maximum opening force for exterior doors ranges from 8.5 to 10 lbs"

https://adata.org/factsheet/adjusting-doors-access
#sciArch 27/N

We have to cover ADA in more detail.

Right now a message from basement-dwellers:
We need cellular access!

I don't know how that can work, but we need cellular connection. We need WiFi, but we also need cellular for emergencies and 2FA

#sciArch 28/N

Either you design bike racks, or your design becomes a bike rack. Also known as Desire Path https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path #sciArch 29/N