This 24,000 gsf project is an addition to an existing 100,000 gsf building. The project expands the Institute’s research program providing two floors of new Wet Labs, a Bio-containment Lab, Lab Support, dedicated ‘Core’ areas and associated Offices to support the research mission of the Cellular and Molecular Medicine Division. The new research space will occur on the 2nd and 3rd floors, creating a building that appears to hover lightly above the ground.  The ground floor will potentially house expansion space for clinical outpatient surgery or wet lab expansion space. Basement level space contains building support and vehicular access to an existing subterranean parking structure. A rooftop penthouse contains mechanical equipment.

Reception and arrival to the new wing occurs on the third floor. A circulation concourse along the curved glass wall provides access to the labs, offices, open work areas and conference rooms. Labs are arrayed along the south side of the building, enjoying natural day lighting modulated by light shelf reflector/sunshades; lab support spaces are located to the interior of the bar. A future BSL-3 bio containment suite has been planned into one end of the research block. Researcher offices with operable windows are positioned along the western surface, which is shaded by a projecting aluminum sunscreen. The acute angled “prow” of the building under which one passes to ceremonially enter the arrival court contains conference rooms on each floor. A centrally-located open stairway facilitates spontaneous interaction and communication amongst researchers and connects the two lab floors together into a unified team culture.

The tiered, curvilinear glazed wall on the north defines an outdoor arrival court, filling the building with natural north light, and providing views from the open work areas, conference rooms and the circulation concourse to the adjacent mountains. The resulting outdoor “room” below contains spaces for reflection amidst existing gardens and provides access to a new glass-canopied entry to the building. A fountain at the center is designed to reflect the building, with a variety of integrated water movement features providing different acoustic options that can be “tuned” in the court. The south and west elevations are clad with fluted pre-cast concrete — simultaneously matching the new building to the existing building in terms of material and color, while the form, texture, and detailing of the paneling sets it apart with a strong, dynamic new identity.

To accommodate the addition’s MEP requirements, the existing central chiller plant was upgraded for long-term operational efficiencies. Sustainable design concepts include heat recovery from the laboratory exhaust, recirculation of air in the non-lab areas, daylighting, and natural ventilation in the office areas.