The Aurum building is the new home of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology of Åbo Akademi and the department of Chemistry of the University of Turku.
About a third of Aurum´s 20 000 m² is laboratory space for chemistry and natural science. Visu Kaluste Oy was selected as a supplier for both laboratory furniture and fume cupboards, letting us to manufacture our company´s biggest project so far. The users of the facilities were involved in the design work from the beginning.
The modular concept of the laboratory furniture increases the flexibility of the facilities as usage needs vary. The building is characterized by large laboratory spaces where fume cupboards and island workstations designed especially for Aurum alternate.
Fanison´s ventilation control system combined with VISU fume cupboards enables a safe and energy-efficient working environment.
Aurum has more than 300 fume cupboards, which are all equipped according to the users´ wishes. In the adjacent picture, there´s an example of fume cupboards with a low worktop, which enables the use of tall devices or test arrangements inside the fume cupboard. Work ergonomics is realized especially in the fume cupboards equipped with electrical height adjustment.
Electrical height adjustment is also found in the island workstations, where the worktops can be adjusted separately according to the needs set by the users or the work.
In addition to the ergonomics and modifiability, special attention has been paid to the choice of materials, which realizes both safety and ecology. Ecological values strongly quided the whole construction project in all its phases and sustainable development thinking can be seen in the laboratory furniture, which are designed to last and modify with the building. in recognition of the comprehensive consideration of environmental issues, Aurum has been granted a Breeam-sertificate with an Excellent grade as the first university building in Finland.
Aurum is a modern architectural entity, whose spacious, bright and high-quality look can also be seen in the laboratory spaces designed for it. The new facilities offer an excellent framework for the needs of studying and top research work for decades to come.