A general view of the atrium or garden court area indicates the relative locations of the control laboratories (upper floor) and production areas (lower floor). The court is used for coffee breaks, lunching facilities, and can be adapted for lectures and meetings
LABORATORY OF THE MONTH Pharmaceutical Labs Combine Efficiency and Beauty A new $3 million building a t the foot -^*- of the towering San Gabriel Mountains in Pasadena is the location of the Stuart Company's pharmaceutical plant. The new facilities provide beautiful surroundings and an atmosphere conducive t o quiet efficiency and effective productivity, state company officials. T h e Stuart Co. manufactures ethical pharmaceuticals. The research laboratories which occupy 5000 square feet include facilities for organic syntheses, formulation development, and pharmaceutical pilot plant. The quality control area, totalling 3000 square feet, features the most modern instrumentation and microbiological equipment. All laboratories have gas, compressed air, vacuum, deionized water, steam, and 100-220 volt power. The entire
building is air-conditioned. All modern safety devices are available including showers, fire blankets, eye to lavage fountains, portable fire extinguishers, and hand-operated sirens. The research department has pioneered in t h e use of electronic data processing equipment to catalog literature references, clinical data, and research results. The research library, which houses approximately 2000 volumes, and 200 different journals, handles literature searches, interlibrary loans, photocopies and transparencies, and retrieval of information by I B M and Unitern documentation systems. The building, designed b y the well known architect Edward D. Stone, was the only factory to receive an American Institute of Architect's Award in 1958.
The structure, one story in front and two in back, is constructed around an indoor courtyard. Trees and exotic plants, including some hanging ones, are in the courtyard. The building is cantilevered over a black-bottomed pool. The manufacturing area is on the lower level and centers on the garden court or atrium. The production line follows a roughly circular pattern. The upper floor, entered from street level, houses research, testing and control laboratories, reception areas, offices, and general storage. The laboratories have large glass areas. All concerned feel t h a t this facility proves the point that an industrial complex can be efficient and still esthetically pleasing.
VOL. 3 1 , NO. 4, APRIL 1959
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69 A
The Polarograph, in the Analytical Control Laboratories, is employed for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace minerals in raw materials. Once standardized, this instrument provides rapid and accurate data
Minerals are analyzed routinely in the General Chemistry Laboratory. Chemist Lynn Mando extracts copper as a complex from multivitamin-mineral tablets. The color of the solution is subsequently measured in a colorimeter and compared with a standard solution Laboratories overlooking a tropically planted garden court, give employees a picturesque environment in the new pharmaceutical research and manufacturing facilities of the Stuart Co. in Pasadena, Calif.
In the Instrument Laboratory, the fluorophotometer is used for quantitative analyses of thiamine and riboflavin. Compounds that fluoresce or that can be made to fluoresce under UV light succumb to this method of assay This view of the General Chemistry Laboratory is typical of the layout of all of the laboratories. Interconnecting doors between adjacent laboratories, as well as exits to a central hallway, serve to ensure smooth traffic flow and safe exits in event of emergencies 70 A
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ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
OUTSTIRS OUTLASTS OUTSELLS
View from the Microbiology Laboratory provides a good idea of the arrange ment of the Analytical Control Department. Placement of the large General Chemistry Laboratory between the Instrument Laboratory and the Micro biology Laboratory results in ready accessibility to these specialized services
I
LABORATORY OF THE MONTH
LOW I COSTI 25
>25 i • I I M I M f l : * » H I * Slirs thickest liquids. Won't stall, won't burn out. EXTRA LIFE MOTOR Not a stock motor, but special heavy duty Waco motor. Many labs operate this stirrer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, month after month. Q j J Q j Q y ^ Z I S Cools m otor, permits contin uous use. Outlasts others, saves replacement. J Induction motor is safe for stirring flammables.
type
E g - l J ^ ' E l With one 300 and one 600 R.P.M. % " shaft. These speeds cover the vast major ity of stirring needs.
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Extra high fume hoods with double transom win dows are provided in the Organic Laboratories. These allow for the setting up of tall equipment as shown in this photograph. A l l fume hoods are pro vided with a "raw" air supply in order t o conserve the conditioned air in the laboratory area
N-70235
Waco stirrer with brass mounting rod and 6 foot cord $25.25
N-10235-1
Stirrer chuck for Waco stirrer for VA" stirring rods $ 1.65
Write for free Catalog No. N-3, describing 38 different stirrers for every stirring job.
WILKENS-ANDERSON CO. 4525 W. DIVISION ST.
CHICAGO 5 1 , ILL
Circle No. 116 απ Readers' Service Card VOL. 3 1 , NO. 4 , APRIL 1959 · 7 1 A
