In this document we briefly describe our current situation and facilities, we then outline our projected growth and space needs, and present our request for assignment of space in the new CS2 Extension; finally, we outline some considerations regarding planning and scheduling issues.
In a nutshell, considering the fact that bioinformatics has been identified as a primary growth area within our department and UBC in general as well as the need for growth as a consequence of DTO, and in the light of current plans for conversion of our present lab, we request the allocation of a lab of 145-160 sqm, a meeting space of at least 15 sqm, 10-13 offices nearby, and a "bull-pen area" that will house additional students who use the beta-lab on a part-time or occasional basis in the new CS2 Extension. Our preference is for this space to be allocated on Level 5 or 4, close to Imager and ICICS facilities; some offices could be located on Level 6.
Considering the substantial effort that will have to be invested in planning
and preparing the new facility and the move, as well as the
need for a certain degree of customisation of the space, which is easiest
and cheapest accomodated in the current phase of the ICICS/CS2 planning process,
we request that this space be assigned as soon as possible.
Currently, the BETA-Lab occupies a total space of 92 square metres
(Room CICSR 153), which is devided in a meeting and presentation
area, 12 computer workstations, 3 working desks for
reading, writing, and laptop use, an informal meeting area,
and the BETA Pop-Pool.
In addition, we project that in steady state, the faculty affiliated
with the lab would supervise 26-29 graduate students who would
work in the beta lab. (This projection takes into account the
fact that Friedman (also appointed in Math) and Hoos (also affiliated
with the LCI lab) will have students not affiliated with the lab, and the
fact that some of the adjunct faculty will have students working in the
lab. More details on this projection can be provided if needed.)
In addition, since undergraduate students routinely do research in the lab
(for theses, summer research internships, co-op research positions), we project
that 8 undergraduate students will work in the lab in steady state.
Finally, we project that 1-2 postdocs and 1-2 visitors or research
associates will use the lab each year, for a total of about 3 postdocs/visitors
per year.
In summary, we project 8 faculty members, 26-29 graduate students, 8 undergdraduates,
and 3 postdocs/visitors will be affiliated with the lab in steady state.
Hence:
Therefore, we project that the lab will need
In calculating the space needs, we have taken into
account that some graduate students prefer to have their primary space in
a shared office, using the lab for seminars and discussions,
while others prefer to have a permanent space in the lab.
We see the following functional requirements for this space:
After careful consideration of various options,
we request that the BETA-Lab and faculty whose primary affiliation is with
the lab obtain space in the new CS2 Extension.
In terms of location, we believe that space in Levels 5 or 4 of the
CS2 Extension would
be best for several reasons.
(We note that space in Level 5 may be better suited to
the needs of the Imager group, however.)
These levels of the CS2 are large enough to
accommodate most of the projected space needs outlined above.
They also offer proximity to
the COSM facility on ICICS Level 5, which is important to Hoos.
Offices on Level 6 of CS2 could also be used
to make up for the deficit of offices on Levels 5 or 4. If BETA-Lab seminars
could take priority in bookings of the meeting room on Level 4
of CS2, the use of this meeting room would be an advantage of Level 4.
Level 3 of CS2 is also a possibility, though we see it is less desirable because
of further distance from COSM and from offices on Level 6 of CS2. In addition,
we note that it may make sense for space on Level 3 of CS2 to be used for
systems/hardware labs that are related to current research on
Level 3 of the CICSR/CS building, or for other
groups that can or will occupy additional
space on ICICS Level 3.
Space in ICICS Level 3 is also a possibility for the BETA-Lab.
However, this is less
desirable than space in CS2, primarily because of planning
uncertainty associated with
this space. Such an option also shares the disadvantages discussed
for CS2 Level 3.
We note that an implication of current plans to convert the BETA-Lab into
a server room and staff offices
means that compared with other labs, the need for careful
relocation planning well ahead of time is essential, in order to avoid undue
disruption in our research.
Again, it may also make sense for Level 3 to be used for research that is
more closely aligned with research currently housed in Level 3 of the
CS building.
A final option would be for the BETA-Lab to stay where it is and obtain
new space on Level 1 of the CICSR/CS building. This would not be compatible with
current plans to use the BETA-labs as a server room, and also would not be
desirable since inevitably the needed space would not be contiguous.
We should also point out that a substantial part of the research carried
out in the BETA-Lab heavily relies on our cluster of compute and file servers.
Currently, this is occupying one rack in CICSR/CS 106A. However, in the future,
we expect that this crucial component of our lab
will be expanded to 2-4, possibly even 6-8 racks.
When planning the server room(s) for the new ICICS/CS complex (comprising the
current CICSR/CS Building and the new ICICS/CS2 Building), this should
be taken into consideration.
Considering the crucial role of the BETA-Lab facilities for
the research activities of its faculty and student members,
a possible relocation needs to be carefully
planned and smoothly executed, to ensure that disruptions in the operations
of the facility are minimal.
Considerable advance planning and schedulding
is also needed in order to make sure that modifications
to our existing furniture and acquisition of new furniture
are completed shortly before or after the lab is moved.
Finally, since the configuration of the lab space is very important
for the functionality of our lab, assuming that
the new lab will be in CS2, it would be very desirable
to be able to make the required minor modifications to
the floor plans. It is our understanding that the current
opportunity of doing this without incurring substantial
additional costs will not exist beyond the end of December 2002;
therefore, we request that the space allocation for the BETA-Lab
be made as soon as possible.
Independently of our request for relocation of the BETA-Lab, we are
concerned about the usability of our facilities in Room 153 during the
construction of the ICICS/CS2 Building. We are particularly worried
about the potential impact of construction noise on Room 153. Noting
that because of its particular location, Room 153 might be one of the
most severely affected rooms, in particular research labs, in the
present CICSR/CS Building, we see the possibility that for parts of the
construction process, Room 153 could become unsuitable for computer or
theoretical work, seminars, meetings, etc.
Depending on the duration
and severity of such disruptions, it might become necessary to think
about an early or temporary relocation of the BETA-Lab equipment and
activities. We hope that as part of the ICICS/CS2 planning process, this
issue will be considered, aiming to minimise impact on the lab (as far
as possible given other constraints) and allowing for swift and
efficient relocation with sufficient advanced warning, if necessary.
In case of a relocation, temporary lab space would have to accommodate
at least 16 workstations (80 square metres) and temporary storage for
the furniture etc. would have to be provided.
Current Situation and Facilities
Established in 2000, the BETA-Lab is one of the youngest, yet
biggest labs of the CS Department.
The full faculty members affiliated with the lab (now, and expected in
the future) are Condon, Evans, Friedman, Hoos, and Kirkpatrick.
Adjunct members who are active in Beta-lab seminars and/or have
students who work in the lab are Belleville, Mackworth, and Ng.
(In this memo, we focus on the
space needs of faculty whose primary affiliation is expected to be
with the lab when the new building is completed, and the space needs
of students whose primary affiliation will be with the lab. Therefore
not all faculty affiliated with the lab, e.g. Pippenger, are listed
here.)
The lab has 14 graduate student members,
as well as undergraduate student members. Several
other students also routinely use the lab on a part-time basis.
Projected Growth and Space Needs
We project that three additional faculty members will be hired in the
next 3 years or so (one in bioinformatics, one in theory, and one
in empirical algorithmics).
This would bring the total number of faculty whose
primary affiliation is with the lab to 8, which we view as
an ideal size for BETA in the steady state.
10% surplus space is needed for shelves, walkways, partitions, behind doors, etc,
bringing the total space needed for the BETA-Lab to 145-160 sqm.
The space will need to be close
to the needed meeting space, 10-13 offices, and the bull-pen area that will house additional students who
use the beta-lab on a part-time or occasional basis.
Relocation and Space Request
According to current plans for the ICICS/CS2 Building,
Room CICSR/CS 153 will be needed for other purposes.
Furthermore, our projected space needs within the next 2-5 years
cannot be accomodated in CICSR/CS 153.
Hence, a permanent relocation of our laboratory facilities is necessary.
Planning and Scheduling Issues, Impact of Construction Activities