Original features

The Royal Veterinary College's new Centre for Emerging, Endemic and Exotic Diseases (CEEED) is a state-of-the-art hub for a multidisciplinary team of epidemiologists, immunologists, microbiologists, economists and others.

The centre was designed by architecture plb after consultations with the scientists and researchers who will work there. It opens this week on the Hawkshead Campus, near Potters Bar, Hertfordshire.

The CEEED will be used for training, consultancy and research, often with external collaborators, so key requirements included up-to-date laboratory facilities, two high-security labs, flexible modern offices, meeting places and write-up suites.

But as well as responding to safety concerns and the needs of in-house staff, the centre's wide-ranging remit means that it needs to build international research links and provide an appealing business-like environment to visiting scientists and potential funders.

A key feature is the double-height glazed-entry space, which joins its north and south wings. This opens on to the foyer and offers an informal area that encourages casual interaction between academic staff. It can also be used for exhibitions or hosting small-scale events with the adjacent seminar room.

Send suggestions for this architectural series to: matthew.reisz@tsleducation.com.