Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building
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The Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building was conceived by the leaders of the institution as a new model for collaborative science and research based on three underlying design strategies – collaboration, place and sustainability. Completed in the summer of 2006, it serves students, faculty and researchers as a world-class environment that facilitates focused study and advancements in molecular medicine. In the words of UT Health Science Center at Houston president, James T. Willerson, MD, this facility will be the catalyst for a ‘quantum leap into the future’
for science and learning that will attract ‘the world’s best experts.’
Now open at 1825 Pressler Street, the Sarofim Research Building provides much-needed research space and houses core research centers containing dry and wet laboratories, administrative offices, conferencing areas, a 200-seat auditorium, and a large atrium for public events. Totaling 229,000 square feet, the seven-story Sarofim Research Building was designed by Kansas City-based Berkebile Nelson Immenschuh McDowell Architects with energy cost savings and climate control in mind. Pennsylvania-based Burt Hill Associates provided laboratory and M/E/P (Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing) design. Vaughn Construction oversaw construction. From the relationship with the outdoors, to the architecture of the building, to the interior spaces, the overall concept considered form and function holistically, promoting the well-being of the users as well as their productivity.
The building comprises two wings – one on a southern orientation for technology and administrative offices, and the other facing north for core research labs. The ground floor is open to allow users to come and go, and a central atrium links the laboratory and office wings. At least 65 percent of the usable space within the building is fully devoted to research, including a state-of-the-art animal-care facility in support of research activities. The laboratories are designed as one contiguous primary research space per floor on each of the four designated research floors. Each research floor is supported by independent, specialized laboratory spaces, equipment spaces, cold and hot rooms, and other shared spaces for use by all occupants of the floor.
The entire structure was conceived as an organism with discrete parts or species. Each species is designed to house its individual functions and activities by having appropriate space configuration, air conditioning, lighting, furnishings, and other qualities to ensure the highest levels of health, comfort, productivity, and innovation for the occupants.
The six species areas:
Laboratory is housed on four identical floors three through six. Each floor is organized in three zones that extend the entire length of the floor. The north element is a single open research laboratory that is flexible and adaptable to any science related to the IMM’s research mission. Specialized research laboratories, hot rooms, cold rooms, and other discretely designed spaces are shared by users of each floor. A circulation zone separates open labs from specialized labs.
Offices are located on four floors opposite the laboratory wing and are designed to provide a comfortable work environment that is a retreat for all investigators and research staff. The offices are designed as flexible open spaces providing views and daylight. Each floor has access to an outdoor terrace.
Institute Gateway includes the central atrium, Beth Robertson Auditorium, Ben Love Auditorium Lobby, the Conference Center, administrative offices, and the gardens/outdoor breezeway. These areas are designed to facilitate informal dialogue between the scientists and serve as the public face to the institute.
Commons include the central stairs, lobbies on each floor, elevators, restrooms, outdoor terraces, and connecting walkways between laboratory and office areas. These spaces facilitate movement throughout the building and encourage casual interaction.
Margolis Faculty Lounge is located on the third floor overlooking the atrium. The material finishes and sophisticated atmosphere of the room foster a warm gathering place for the scientists and social functions. The lounge has direct access to the roof garden.
Service Building is located on floors one through three between the main parts of the building and University Center Tower. It includes a loading dock, storage facilities, utility and service areas, as well as future research support spaces on the first floor. The research vivarium is located on floor two and mechanical space occupies floor three.
Award to Sarofim Building
The Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building at the UT Health Science Center at Houston has received a coveted Honor Award in the American Institute of Architects Houston's 2007 Design Awards competition. BNIM Architects of Kansas City, Mo., designed the $120 million, 223,000-square-foot facility in conjunction with lab architect and mechanical engineering consultant Burt Hill.
The Sarofim Building, at 1825 Pressler Street, is the new home of The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases. It is designed as a six-story "vertical campus" that supports collaborative research into the causes of human diseases at the cellular and molecular levels using DNA and protein technologies to reveal disease mechanisms.