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Urgent need for new Research Laboratories
Anandaban Hospital is the largest hospital in Nepal specialising in leprosy treatment. Its staff team carry out world-leading research to improve understanding of the disease and develop new treatments.
However, due to age and limitations, the facilities are at risk of not meeting standards for diagnostic testing and competitive research despite everything tried via inexpensive short-term fixes and remodeling. A new Research Centre is desperately needed.
The Design
The proposal includes 1,100sqm new laboratory and a 500sqm refurbishment in two buildings which will house the Pharmacy and Blood Bank.
Laboratories are often complex buildings, and this building has the additional challenge of being located on a steep slope in an earthquake zone. Terracing, retaining walls and a reinforced concrete frame structure allow the lab to meet the physical challenges of the site. Other materials include locally sourced brick and stone ensuring the use of local skills and expertise.
The building is also designed to improve thermal comfort, with limited use of air conditioning where this is necessary to meet biosafety or operational requirements.
The Impact
World-class leprosy research and treatment are carried out at Anandaban, supporting the global fight against this debilitating disease. The new Research Centre will allow its team of scientists and clinicians to operate at their most efficient.
Anandaban’s research work aims to enable organisations and governments to make evidence-based policy decisions for leprosy-affected populations worldwide.
