The New Architecture of Science explores how the architecture of advanced nanoscience labs affects the way scientists think, conduct experiments, interact and collaborate. The unique design of the National Graphene Institute in Manchester, UK sheds light on the new generation of 21st century science laboratories. Weaving together two tales of this building, lead scientist and one of the designers, Kostya Novoselov, and architectural anthropologist, Albena Yaneva, combine an analysis of its distinctive design features with ethnographic observation of the practices of scientists, facility managers, technicians, administrators and house service staff. Capturing simultaneously the complex technical infrastructure and the variability of human experiences that it facilitates, contemporary laboratory buildings are shown to be vital settings for the active shaping of new research habits and ways of thinking, ultimately leading to discovery and socio-technical innovations.
Readership: Academics, professionals and students from architecture, urban studies, science and technology studies (STS) programs, and the sciences; general public.
Kostya S Novoselov is a Langworthy Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy and the Royal Society Research Professor at the University of Manchester and the Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor at the National University of Singapore. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2010 (together with Andre Geim) for their pioneering work on graphene.
Albena Yaneva is Professor of Architectural Theory at the University of Manchester and Lise Meitner Visiting Chair at the University of Lund. She is the recipient of the Royal Institute of British Architects President's award for outstanding university research (2010).