continued

Sustainable Science

This innovative laboratory/ office layout positions the heat-producing labs on the north side of the building. Conscious of the need to minimize the energy cost of climate control, the designers placed the air distribution systems under raised floors in the south wing, where the offices and conference rooms are located.

Floor vents in these spaces can be easily shifted if the spaces change in use in the future. As a safety concern, the lab wing does not have under-floor distribution. So the floor elevations vary between the two wings, causing the bridges to take on the character of gracious ramps.

There is ample additional evidence that sustainability and energy efficiency were top design priorities of the design team. The exterior materials are primarily glass, terra cotta, and metal panels in copper and zinc. The panels, which reduce energy loss from the building's shell, are installed using a special technique without caulking. A plastic membrane behind the panels serves as the main waterproofing. The system produces a rain screen expected to yield substantial savings in maintenance each year while adding insulating properties.

Burt Hill designed the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and the lab spaces, while both firms collaborated on the finishes. Each of the four lab floors accommodates about 20 lab benches on the north side. All benches are movable for ease of rearrangement. BNIM did energy modeling with Burt Hill to design the "clouds" — metal panels on the ceiling intended to bring daylight deeper into the north-facing rooms.

Researchers' offices are aligned along the north side of the south wing, overlooking the atrium. The south side of the south wing accommodates desks for support staff, break rooms with kitchens, and conference rooms at each level.

The south facade is protected from the hot Houston sun by external "sun boxes." These are vertical fins that shield the glazing from the rays of the sun as it moves from east to west, and a top device that offers relief from the overhead sun. Over the south wing is a frame with the potential to support photovoltaic arrays in the future.

Even while in design and construction, the building began receiving awards. The Texas Society of Architects has announced that BNIM Architects will receive a design award for the project in November 2006. With the beautiful and effective design of this innovative building, expectation is high for the well-being of its users and their productivity.

Elizabeth Bollinger is a professor at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, University of Houston, in Houston, Texas.

Discuss this article in the Architecture Forum...

North facade of the Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building, Houston, Texas, by BNIM Architects and Burt Hill. Photo: Farshid Assassi The Sarofim Building is in the southwest quadrant of the Texas Medical Center campus along Braes Bayou. Image: BNIM Site plan. Image: BNIM First floor plan. Image: BNIM Extra Large Image Second floor plan. Image: BNIM Extra Large Image Typical upper floor plan. Image: BNIM Extra Large Image South facade. Photo: Farshid Assassi Vertical fins on the windows shade the sun. Photo: Farshid Assassi Supply air diagram. Image: BNIM Return air diagram. Image: BNIM   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.