I3S - Health Investigation and Innovation Institute

I3S is a transdisciplinary institution determined to promote research and innovation in the Health Sciences at the highest international level.

The building comprises a ground floor with living areas and common services with technical expertise, two upper floors, the largest area, of research laboratories, and a basement floor where is located the bioterium, the warehouse area, as well as parking and technical areas.

The volume of the compact and elongated floors of laboratories, swinging on the garden, is regularly punctuated by courtyards and lighting the laboratories. This areas distribution not only gives meaning to the relationship with the existing building of IPATIMUP such as contribute to a clear and compact occupation of the site, defining zones and creating large garden areas. The material chosen to solve this structure was the concrete, capable of holding, support and give shape to architectural intention.
The principal structure is made of vertical elements of concrete supporting voided slabs. Generally, the slabs have approximately 6m span allowing heights up to 30 cm thick, compatible with the technical solutions of the floors. High bodies are highlighted, in particular the console areas. These areas are supported by beams in a variable inertia aligned with the facades, which receive loads from the uper slabs through columns spread on the façade with spacing and sections compatible with the architectural concept.

Building sustainability was one of the principal goals - resulting in a network of vertical and horizontal ducts which promote various kinds of solutions. There is a network infrastructure related to the specific needs of laboratories and research areas, sized and made to allow the system to be versatile and adaptable to future needs. Another network of ducts ensures natural ventilation to areas of greatest use. And another network of ducts also ensures the supply of air to equipment on the roof.

The HVAC design strives to create centralized systems as a way to take advantage of economies of scale and more efficient power solutions, including those who use systems based on renewable energy, where economically feasible.