An architecture student says experience observing the development of the UK’s largest net zero laboratory building has broadened her horizons for her future career.
Shamiso O’Mard, who graduated with a Masters of Engineering in Architecture this summer, secured a two-month long placement at the John Innes Centre during her penultimate year of studying at the University of Leeds.
The John Innes Centre is an international centre of excellence in plant science, genetics and microbiology based in Norwich Research Park.
It is currently building a ground-breaking plant and microbial science and innovation hub, thanks to over £317 million in UKRI investment.
Net zero
Shamiso, 22, said: “Observing firsthand the plans for the Main Lab Building, which will be the largest net zero laboratory building in the UK, was so exciting. It was an incredible experience to be a part of.
“One of the projects I got to see was a facade test, where they built a small prototype of what the facade is going to be - which is made out of timber - and put it somewhere in the park, and just left it there just to see what it looks like aesthetically as it weathers over time.”
Shamiso was also wowed by the scale of the project, as she hadn’t imagined working on the development of a whole campus before. She also enjoyed the breadth of experience working on such a unique project.
“Before this, I’d not gained a clear perspective on what it's like to design buildings that are highly specialized like laboratories.
“It was a totally different aspect that set it apart from my other experiences.
“I got to learn about fields I’m unfamiliar with and see how everything fits together, for example, I learnt about controlled environment rooms (CERs) and their significance in the field of plant science.
“I was in a team of people who were all working on different projects so I enjoyed a huge breadth of experience.”
Shamiso got to experience the refurbishment of one of the laboratory’s roofs and new laboratories being built, observe the ongoing refurbishment of the Horticulture Services Building and survey the rooftop of the Joseph Chatt building.
The hands-on experience also saw Shamiso drafting business cases, reviewing mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) drawings and researching sustainable building practices. She also assisted in spatial planning exercises and brainstormed ways to create efficient and comfortable spaces around the Norwich Bioscience Institutes (NBI).
Shamiso added: “I also got to meet lots of different stakeholders and gain experience from them – from engineers, architects, project managers, external consultants and facilities management, to clients and the people who actually use the building. And Rex, the resident science cat, who was an unexpected highlight of my experience.”
Future steps
Following her graduation, Shamiso is hoping to apply for a Part 1 Architectural Assistant job and she hopes that her experience at the John Innes Centre will play a part in helping her reach her next step.
Shamiso recommends students seize opportunities for work experience and says her experience at the John Innes Centre opened her eyes to projects beyond those she expected.
“It was a really fascinating experience. I think my sights are definitely set higher now, and my experience contributing towards and observing the development of sustainable places, particularly those targeting Net Zero, will be very useful for my future career as an architect.”
Justin Lunn, Architecture Programmes Lead, University of Leeds, said: “Shamiso’s combination of technical expertise and creative ability has really shone in her final year of the course. Experiences like the John Innes Centre placement are hugely valuable to students and have a really positive effect, by gaining insights into the practical impacts of academic work. It’s great to know it worked so well for her and that she is inspired to raise her ambition.”
Further information
Pic credit: Shamiso O’Mard
For further information, please contact Becky Pascoe in the University of Leeds press office on r.pascoe@leeds.ac.uk