Project Data:

Completion Date:     9/1/2020

Square Footage:      91400

Building Use:           Education

Design Architect:      Jessica Ginther, AIA, LEED AP, Jessica.ginther@hok.com; Karl Sobel, LEED GA, karl.sobel@hok.com; Ernest Cirangle, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, (Retired); Suren Sumian, suren.sumian@hok.com

Project Description:

The design of the Marie and Pierre Curie Hall provided a unique opportunity to add a contemporary building within the picturesque site. SUA’s vision for the project was to evoke the program of scientific research and learning. The building exterior incorporates large expanses of glass curtain wall, optimizing daylight throughout the building. Travertine stone volumes signify interior spaces of collaboration, while dichroic glass fins add movement to the façade, reflecting different colors and shadows throughout the day based on changing lighting conditions. These reflections dance within the interior of the building, acting as a visual reminder to students and visitors about the science occurring within the building. In keeping with SUA’s mission to educate and develop the whole individual while fostering collaborative interdisciplinary study, the new high-performance science facility is designed to support SUA’s educational objectives of being open, flexible, interactive and demonstrating sustainability. All disciplines were intensely integrated to ensure the building’s LEED Gold Certification goal. The design team worked closely with SUA to develop a building program and interior planning configuration which allowed for increased interaction between faculty, researchers and students. This focus on interaction and science-on-display resulted in the design of a ‘collaboration spine’ at the southern portion of the building. This spine is populated with meeting rooms, study zones, science exhibits and open communication stairs. It is also from the ‘collaboration spine’ that students, faculty and researchers have access to the classrooms, teaching laboratories and research laboratory neighborhoods.

The building’s circulation and collaboration areas are located at the perimeter glass walls create a thermal buffer zone where temperatures can have a greater range, while the highly controlled lab spaces are placed to the interior protecting them from solar heat gain and reduces energy use. Exterior dichroic and fritted glass fins paired with Low-E glazing reduce heat gain into the building. Occupancy sensors are used throughout to optimize and reduce the lighting and plug loads. A large PV array on the roof provides 10% of the building’s total energy used.