Jan Koum Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies

Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Add To Collection

Other Projects by MICHEL RÉMON & ASSOCIÉS

Add To Collection

Jan Koum Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Jan Koum Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies

Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Firm

MICHEL RÉMON & ASSOCIÉS

Type

Industrial › Laboratory Research Facility

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2024

SIZE

5000 sqft - 10,000 sqft

BUDGET

$10K - 50K

TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY

In the north of Tel Aviv, in the Ramat neighbourhood Aviv - ‘Spring Hill’ - is Israel's largest university. Founded in 1953, Tel Aviv University (TAU) today welcomes more than 30,000 students to an exceptional campus.

Here, modern and contemporary architecture unfolds in the heart of a lush garden, where the song of multicoloured birds accompanies student life. Since the mid-20th century, Israeli landscape architects Dan Zur and Lipa Yahalom have been shaping this unique environment, a veritable jewel case of greenery.

The master plan organises the campus into two major sectors: the humanities to the west, and the sciences to the east. At its heart, the Museum of the Jewish People welcomes schoolchildren, families and visitors from Israel and all over the world every day. Further east at, along rue Klausner, the National Museum of Natural History faces ‘Gate No. 2’, in the immediate vicinity of the NanoCenter, further affirming the scientific vocation of the site.

The Jan Koum Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is located at the heart of this campus, between nature and modernity. Designed as a high-precision facility, it offers researchers a state-of-the-art environment to
explore the frontiers of the nanoworld. More than just a building, it embodies innovation and scientific excellence within Tel Aviv University.

THE SCALE

Our concept draws its inspiration from the element that naturally links architecture to nanoscience: scale.

The entire project expresses the essence of the building: a place entirely dedicated to the infinitely small, resolutely forward-looking. Its precise and innovative geometry transcends the usual reference points, giving rise to a unique and emblematic
architecture.

The nanosciences and nanotechnologies, disciplines emerging from fundamental research, explore the scale of the nanometre (10-9 metres), a dimension comparable to the distance between two atoms. They are paving the way for fascinating advances: the study of nanoparticles, the design of nanorobots, the development of revolutionary materials
such as graphene. Their applications touch on fields as varied as medicine, energy and space engineering.

Our architectural concept explores the many dimensions of scale: the infinitely small, the human scale, and sometimes even the erasure of any reference to scale. A matrix of vertical elements forms an enveloping skin, defying traditional architectural codes. Windows and doors disappear, giving way to an abstract landscape where the structure itself becomes language.

The architectural concept plays with notions of scale, exploring the infinitely small, the human scale and the absence of scale, to create a unique spatial experience. A matrix of vertical elements forms an enveloping skin that defies traditional architectural conventions. Windows and doors blend into the décor, giving way to an abstract geometric landscape.

By paying homage to the infinitely small, the building's geometry becomes an iconic symbol, architecture beyond scale.

EXPLORING THE INVISIBLE

At the heart of the NanoCenter, research is reaching unexplored frontiers.

Professor Yael Hanein is dedicated to the creation and improvement of neural implants. With his team, he is developing miniaturised systems capable of interacting with the nervous system, opening up major prospects in the fields of hearing and artificial vision.

His neighbour at the institute, Professor Tal Dvir, is pushing back the boundaries of 3D printing of human tissue, combining microfluidics and nanotechnologies. His research aims to regenerate complex organs - heart, spinal cord, brain - and to develop innovative methods for transporting stem cells through the body.

To carry out these cutting-edge projects, the researchers have at their disposal a state-of-the-art technological arsenal: electron microscopes, electron beam lithography equipment, high-precision spectrometers, nanoscopic lasers and
manipulators operating on a nanometric scale.

Thanks to this equipment, they are exploring the territories of the nanoscopic world, characterising new materials and designing nanotubes or nanorobots with applications that are as fascinating as they are challenging.

CLEAN ROOMS

The new NanoCentre represents a major architectural challenge. To carry out their cutting-edge work in nanoscience,
researchers have to work in a ‘controlled atmosphere’, requiring a total absence of dust particles, electromagnetic disturbances and vibrations. The creation of Clean Rooms has thus become an absolute priority.

A fascinating cartography of the sources of nuisance and the ‘victims’ then takes shape, revealing the sometimes unexpected interactions between sensitive equipment and environmental disturbances. A real game of chess begins, where every decision counts in resolving an extremely complex technical equation.

Controlling dust, which is essential for ensuring the performance of scientific equipment, requires the creation of successive interlocking spaces like ‘Russian dolls’, each guaranteeing an optimal ISO cleanliness level.

The building's logistics have also been designed to accommodate large-scale scientific equipment. Tailor-made solutions were implemented at, including a monumental freight lift capable of transporting an entire room, and removable façade panels allowing the insertion of long optical tables for high-precision lasers.

In addition to its scientific dimension, this new building has a strong architectural ambition: to become an emblematic work at the eastern entrance to the campus, testifying to the University's commitment to research and development.

CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE

How do you build an extremely precise scientific environment?

Guaranteeing an exceptional vibration criterion (VC-G) for a dozen cutting-edge scientific facilities is quite a challenge, especially when the simple passage of a car over a speed bump in the nearby car park can disrupt everything. Added to this is the need to ensure the cohabitation of high currents, essential to the building's operation, with extremely sensitive
equipment.

To meet these requirements, Clean Rooms have to be designed. These ultra-controlled spaces require complex architecture, marked by an exceptional ratio between usable surfaces and technical surfaces.

Each square meter of floor space dedicated to research requires :
- One square meter of technical floor
- One square meter of walkable plenum

Thus, for each square meter of usable floor space, four square meters of structure and equipment must be installed.

This architectural complexity reflects the demanding requirements of nanoscience research: it calls for high-level expertise in the design of clean rooms, airflow control, and the management of electromagnetic and vibratory interference.

SIXTH FACADE

To house its future cutting-edge equipment, the building had to meet extreme scientific constraints: no vibration, no
electromagnetic disturbance, no dust must interfere with the activities carried out inside.

To meet these vibratory challenges, nine huge concrete blocks were poured on site, anchoring themselves deeply
until the best soil was found. These foundations can be equipped with a hydraulic system allowing vibrations to be totally absorbed, to the point of imperceptibility.

This system forms the basis of the building's design, responding to the need for a perfectly stable base. It constitutes a veritable sixth facade.

Lead Architect: MICHEL RÉMON & ASSOCIÉS - ALEXIS PEYER
Associate Architect: YY GRANOT ARCHITECTS

Project Manager : BARAN GROUP
Engineering: WSP, BARAN GROUP, KARBAN, AVLS, DYNAMICA
Landscape: LAURE PLANCHAIS, MOSHE LANNER
Builder: Y. YANKOVITCH, CIMOLAI SPA

Client: TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY

Photo credits: Harel Gilboa, Nimrod Levy, Omri Amsalem

Product Spec Sheet

Were your products used?

Join as a manufacturer to add your products.

Collaborating Firms

Was your firm involved? Add it now.

Team

Were you involved? Add yourself.

Keep Exploring Architizer by Creating a Free Account or Logging in.

Jan Koum Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies

Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Other Projects by MICHEL RÉMON & ASSOCIÉS

Jan Koum Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Jan Koum Centre for Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies

Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team