Duke University
North Building Robotics Lab
Durham, NC
Lord Aeck Sargent worked with the Duke Robotics Group to design the renovation of a 4,200 sf space in the first floor of the North Building to house new research space.
The Duke Robotics group was established in 2014 to encompass and help support the growth of the robotics community at the University. It is a cross-disciplinary association of research labs and teaching faculty spanning three departments – Computer Science (CS), Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) and Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science (MEMS) – and two schools – Pratt School of Engineering and Trinity College of Arts & Sciences.
The program for the new space includes four offices, a graduate student workroom, an entry/lounge area and an open research arena with a motion capture area, a control room and two experimental rooms. Among the spaces are a large, open space that allows the testing and flying of drones and a rock-climbing wall used to demonstrate the robots’ coordination. New mechanical systems and power upgrades were included in the renovation scope.
The Robotics Group is home to labs focusing on research related to humans and anatomy, intelligent motion, intelligent robots and brain tools, which focuses on developing robotics to aid Neurosurgery.
The project was completed on time and on budget under a strict deadline.
