Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2006

Chinese University Bulletin Autumn · Winter 2006 36 T he Chinese University of Hong Kong is committed to enhancing the quality of its research. To support its strategic research development, CUHK has built a Centralized Science Laboratories Building for pioneering scientific and medical research. The new building is fitted out with cutting-edge facilities for research needs and a variety of energy-conserving designs. Centralized Science Laboratories Building: CUHK’s Latest Research Booster The Chinese University of Hong Kong is equipped with world-class research facilities enabling teachers and graduate students to pursue excellence in both research and teaching. In recent years, advanced and strategic interdisciplinary research projects haveflourishedwith the birthofmany research institutes and centres. The number of research staff has also increased. To maintain our edge and achieve greater excellence, the University needs to upgrade its present infrastructure to provide a quality environment to our researchers. A number of new facilities are under construction on campus. Among them, the Centralized Science Laboratories Building on Central Campus will complement the University’s strategic research developments. The building will provide state-of-the-art laboratory facilities to foster the development of advanced and strategic research for many outstanding research areas, including the biomedical sciences. Providing Ample Research Space The six-storeyCentralizedScienceLaboratories Building has a total gross floor area of 11,000 square metres. It is built in harmony with the natural terrain, on a hillside on Central Campus, overlooking Tai Po Road to the south and connected to the Science Centre to the north. Five storeys of the building will house purpose-designed laboratory facilities. The building will provide over 70 state-of-the-art laboratories capable of handling advanced research for the Science andMedical Faculties, as well as comprehensive complementary facilities. Innovative Design in Harmony with Natural Terrain The building’s design complements the natural terrain. It is innovative, combining energy conservation and environmental protection. The undulating curve of the southern fa ç ade is composed of storey-high, coloured, laminated glass which can control heat gain and reduce air-conditioning load in the interior. Researchers inside the laboratories can enjoy a panoramic view of Tai Po Road and Tolo Harbour, thereby creating a dynamic CUHK’s Environment-friendly, State-of-the-art Science Laboratories Building