Probably a water purification system..the tank on the right looks scarily like modern tea-dispensers, though..!

It's a fume cupboard. When mixing chemicals that give off toxic gases, they are put behind the glass and an extractor fan is turned on, which extracts the toxic chemicals out through an exhaust in the roof. You can also use it for explosive experiments and such, too.

Me and a few friends went there and I found that this passageway with the vines was one fo the most amazing. It just seemed to have this natural element to it that just made me say "wow". I think your photo really captures it.