TERI’s Nano-Biotech Research Center (NBRC) is a unique facility for mycorrhizal research, micro-propagation technology, plant tissue culture and molecular biology. These technologies are intended to improve soil fertility, soil and plant microbiology, and provide nutrient cycling, bio remediation using microbes and plants, create bio-fuels, bio-fertilizer using transformed root organ cultures, with molecular characterization and commercialization of mycorrhizal bio-fertilizers, ultimately contributing to food security of the nation. The facility is nestled within an existing dense forest and the shape of the structure is optimized to ensure no transplantation or cutting down of any healthy trees, as well as to ensure speedy (9 months finished) delivery of the project. The building designed for this facility is, for the processes housed in it, a highly optimized resource conserving building including highly isolated foundations for vibration-free electron microscopy, a maximally daylit laboratory and office environment of clean room 10,000 and down to 1,000 class. Unlike standard lab areas that are just work spaces, this space has ample views from the inside, breakout and recreation areas to create a suitably creative research environment for over 100 scientists and students. The roof is designed to be covered with solar PV, solar hot water, and photo-bio reactors, while the building facade is covered with a second skin of creepers growing organic vegetable matter while shading the building at the same time. The building is going to be certified GRIHA and will probably achieve a 5 star rating.
