High-precision indoor climate for advanced life-science research
Swegon supplied a complete solution for airflow control, air distribution and cooling, supporting both laboratory performance and occupant comfort.
A research environment designed for collaboration
The Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing is part of Cologne’s life-science cluster on the University Hospital campus. Designed by Hammeskrause Architekten, the building brings previously distributed research groups together under one roof. Approximately 4,500 m² of laboratory space are distributed across four research floors. The transparent architecture, organised around a triangular central atrium, supports openness and interaction, while providing the controlled indoor climate conditions required for ageing research conducted by an international team representing several different nationalities.
Architectural openness meets laboratory-grade requirements
From the outset, the ambition of the Max Planck Society was to create a building that actively encourages exchange between researchers while meeting the strict demands of laboratory environments. Large, compact laboratory landscapes, generous communication areas and visual transparency define the design. For the indoor climate, this translated into demanding requirements: stable and precise conditions for sensitive experiments, individually controllable laboratory zones, reliable integration of fume control and specialised conditions for laboratories with specific hygiene and pressure demands. At the same time, air distribution components needed to integrate discreetly into an architecture dominated by openness and daylight.
A coordinated system approach
In close cooperation with the planning office IGF Feldmeister and the executive contractor di-pa Technische Gebäudeservice, Swegon delivered a solution for airlfow monitoring and balance of supply and exhaust air. Tube diffuser strands combined with chilled-beams provide high cooling capacity with minimal visual impact, while swirl diffusers serve office and circulation areas. High-precision measurement and balancing components ensure reliable airflow control in critical laboratory zones.
Products and solutions tailored to function and design
Swegon’s swirl diffusers deliver low-noise, high-induction air supply in offices, meeting areas and the atrium surroundings. Laboratory areas are supplied via VZ-AR tube diffusers, creating clean, linear air distribution that aligns with the architectural grid. For areas with high cooling loads, AKK-TIE chilled-beams integrated around the tube diffusers remove heat efficiently at the source while supplying air gently and draught-free. PU radial flow diffusers and complementary grilles handle exhaust and special functions, while SIRI measurement and control damper with iris function enable precise adjustment and verification of airflow volumes throughout the building.
Read our blog about indoor climate for labsReliable performance for research environments
Designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern laboratories, Swegon’s solution delivers stable temperatures, reliable pressure control and a comfortable indoor climate across large research spaces. The combination of advanced air distribution and chilled-beam cooling ensures consistent performance, even in areas with high heat loads from laboratory equipment and processes.
Built for long-term operation, the system supports easy commissioning, verification, maintenance, and future adaptation. Accessible components and flexible airflow control simplify cleaning, rebalancing, and adjustments as laboratory requirements evolve. The Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing demonstrates how integrated indoor climate solutions can support both architectural ambitions and scientific excellence. Through precise airflow control, efficient cooling, and discreet system integration, Swegon helped create a stable, comfortable and future-ready environment for world-class life-science research.
