The plaza of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (1965). Photograph by Russell Hughes

Luxury Laboratories

In Laboratory Lifestyles: The Construction of Scientific Fictions editors Sandra Kaji-O’Grady, Chris L. Smith, and Russell Hughes take a look at the recent boom in luxurious, resort-style scientific laboratories. Designed by top architects these impressive buildings boast wellness centers, fine dining, and retail facilities that aim to attract top scientists.

Here are a few examples of lux labs from around the world:

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies in San Diego, California

The National Graphene Institute, in Manchester

The Blizard Building at Queen Mary University of London

The interior of the Blizard Building at Queen Mary University of London, designed by Will Alsop (2005).

Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB) in Barcelona Biomedical Research Park  

The Emma and Georgina Bloomberg Center at Cornell Tech, New York

The Emma and Georgina Bloomberg Center at Cornell Tech (Morphosis Architects) and the Bridge Building (Weiss-Manfredi Architects).

Laboratory Lifestyles edited by Sandra Kaji-O’Grady, Chris L. Smith, and Russell Hughes is out February 5th.