The Laboratory of Biological Resources, Water and Environment will make the quality control of the fish available to the populations and surveillance of national water resources.

The architects Inês Pimentel and André Tavares established a complete program that includes six chemical laboratories, six biological laboratories, meeting rooms for balance and washing, administrative offices, an auditorium and a library.

The technical areas and the chat room with a bar are located in the basement. The proximity of the sea will be a key constraint, both for the constructive process and the durability and smooth operation of the building, due to predictably high water table. We have designed wells to accommodate large-capacity pumps, which will temporarily lower the water table during the construction. There will be definitive drainage mains with two wells interconnected for water pumping, ensuring that the system will deliver during maintenance operations.

The structure will be raised on a continuous draining screen that will protect it from the corrosion caused by marine agents. Given the poor quality of the soil foundation, observed during the geological and geotechnical surveys, our analysis revealed that the best technical-economic compromise solution was a mat foundation of 60cm thick. Delivering the latest recommendations of European regulations (EN1992 - Eurocode 2) and taking into account the expected lifetime of the building, we used materials of high quality like C30/37 class concrete. Demineralised water is supplied to technicians by a system of stainless steel pipes.

The laboratories will be supplied by mains of synthetic clean air, compressed air, nitrous oxide, helium, argon, nitrogen, hydrogen, acetylene, methane, carbon dioxide, medical aspiration (vacuum) and butane gas. The electricity supply will be provided by the public mains, with a generator that will ensure the support of all equipments. There will be a 50000lt capacity water tank in order to minimize the consequences of possible water cuts, ensuring the autonomy of the building during those periods.