The response of staff to the design of the CSIRO's Discovery building

Abstract

There is an increasing demand for scientists to make the results of their research available for scrutiny by members of the public, and for scientists to demystify science. In response to this pressure, research organisations are adopting a variety of methods to communicate with the public. One approach taken by CSIRO in the mid 1990s was to build a multipurpose building, the Discovery Centre, which incorporated an exhibition, an education centre, and laboratories that featured floor to ceiling glass walls so visitors could view researchers at work. This sub-thesis documents the design phase of the Discovery building and looks at how the researchers feel about working in a ‘lab-in-view’ laboratory. It also addresses some aspects of internal communication between researchers in Discovery laboratories. The impact of being more or less in view of the public was identified as well as the role of increased contact for informal communication opportunities afforded by the convenient location of the cafe. Opportunities for further research are also identified.