Zebrafish International Resource Center Renovation and Addition

University of Oregon

The 11,820-sf Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC) lab renovation and addition provides a central repository for zebrafish and accommodates new sterilization equipment, cryogenic storage, and aquaculture-studies materials. To ensure long-term success, the design includes adaptable space and a circulation spine that allows direct access to all support areas without entry into the fish room.

Strategic planning and coordination efforts resulted in the successful relocation of the 9 cryogenic tanks and 1,800-pound sterilization washer to a new cold room. The project team, being acutely aware of the sensitivity of the laboratory environment and equipment, worked with University facilities and lab users to ensure proper care and precautions to mitigate risk and disruption within the occupied facilities and active campus.

The humid interior environment of an aquatic research facility requires careful attention to the exterior envelope to prevent dew point condensation within the assembly. A “perfect wall” assembly with exterior-only insulation proved to be cost prohibitive so a cost reduction strategy was to utilize load bearing CMU walls as the exterior finish. Interior spray-applied closed cell foam with the addition of a compatible spray-applied vapor barrier achieved the perm rating required to keep interior moisture out of the assembly.