We employed a full-height atrium to act as a zipper between new and old, resolving differing floor heights and providing vertical connectivity. Glass bridges span the atrium like chandeliers, softening the existing medical building’s fortress-like façade and weaving together the two structures. Additionally, multi-story openings were carved into the original 1970s high-rise structure to create greater vertical connectivity.

The atrium envelops the exterior open space to create a large, light-filled urban room that encourages socialization and collegiality among students, staff and faculty throughout the year. Offices and labs, as well as common amenities such as recreation, conferencing, dining, lecture halls and student support areas, are placed within the atrium space or clustered at the entry level, evoking a town center atmosphere.

The health sciences complex houses the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy, as well as student life and other resources. The program includes:

• Dry and wet teaching and research labs
• Instruction spaces
• Lecture halls
• Research and seminar rooms
• Faculty and graduate offices
• Dean’s office
• Study lounges
• Conferencing area
• Library
• Retail
• Fitness/Recreation
• Dining
• Exhibition space

We incorporated a series of strategies that affect lighting, air-conditioning and ventilation, as well as site design and material selection. Energy-use reduction features include pass-through ventilation and a cogenerative heat recovery system for mechanical units. In addition, the project utilizes recycled materials, features a system that captures rainwater runoff for irrigation, and the nine-story atrium is naturally ventilated.