Rafael Viñoly - Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) - Janelia Farm Research Campus

Rafael Viñoly
HHMI
Janelia Farm Research Campus
Ashburn, Virginia

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), located in Ashburn, Virginia along the Potomac River, will officially open the doors of its first research campus, the Janelia Farm Research Campus, on October 5, 2006.

Photo courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC

The first of its kind, the Janelia Farm Research Complex transforms accepted patterns of scientific research and typical designs for lab buildings.

The centerpiece is a 1,000 feet long laboratory building, called the “Landscape Building,” which if stood on end, would equal the size of an 85-story building. Its length and massiveness is disguised by its elongated, gently undulating design that conforms to the site’s existing topography.

Built into the gentle slope in the form of three descending planted terraces, the Landscape Building becomes an indistinguishable part of the sloping meadow below. If one stands behind it, one has a clear, unobstructed view across the Potomac River into the verdant Maryland countryside.

Photo: © Jeff Goldberg/Esto

A north-facing glazed corridor runs the length of the building on each floor, providing circulation, dividing the offices and labs, and allowing light to penetrate inside. All floors offer easy connections between the interior and the site.

Photo: © Jeff Goldberg/Esto

The ribbons are bisected by two atria, each anchored by a grand cantilevered staircase that accesses all three levels and provides egress to the meadow. The atria are designed to encourage random encounters among the scientists. Generously sized landings provide inviting space for interaction.

Photo: © Jeff Goldberg/Esto

Horizontally, the building has a rational layout divided into three sinuous ribbons. To the back, tucked into the hillside, is the mechanical corridor, where all of the services terminate. The middle ribbon is reserved for laboratories and support spaces. The front includes office and meeting spaces that alternate with outdoor terraces and courtyards.
Beneath these terraces, the labs, support areas, offices, meeting rooms, and communal spaces are arranged in a three-level stack that is horizontally offset to follow the slope of the site. On the lowest level, overlooking the pond, is the main entrance hall, including large areas for social functions, dining areas, and meeting rooms. The next level, which is above and to the south, contains a long open plan of lab benches, support spaces, and office clusters.

Model photo courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC

Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC
Site Plan

Sketch courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC

Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC
Landscape Building Plan

Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC
Landscape Building Section

Completed: September 2006
Total Site: 281 acres (part of 689 acres owned by HHM)
Total Built Area: 740,411 gross square feet
Size of Landscape Building: 581,000 gross square feet

Client: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Architect: Rafael Viñoly Architects PC
Rafael Viñoly
Jay Bargmann
Charles Clements
Sami Basuhail
Charles Blomberg
David Hodge
Tsune Tsuda
George Salinas
Roberto Alfie
Structural Engineer:
Thornton Tomasetti Group, Newark, NJ
Landscape Design, Civil Engineering:
Dewberry & Davis, Fairfax, VA
General Contractor: Turner Construction Company, Washington, DC

Rafael Viñoly arcspace features

September 18, 2006





				Features
		Rafael Viñoly HHMI Janelia Farm Research Campus Ashburn, Virginia The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), located in Ashburn, Virginia along the Potomac River, will officially open the doors of its first research campus, the Janelia Farm Research Campus, on October 5, 2006. Photo courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC The first of its kind, the Janelia Farm Research Complex transforms accepted patterns of scientific research and typical designs for lab buildings. Photo: © 2006 Paul Fetters for HHMI The centerpiece is a 1,000 feet long laboratory building, called the “Landscape Building,” which if stood on end, would equal the size of an 85-story building. Its length and massiveness is disguised by its elongated, gently undulating design that conforms to the site’s existing topography. Photo: © 2006 Paul Fetters for HHMI Photo: © 2006 Paul Fetters for HHMI Built into the gentle slope in the form of three descending planted terraces, the Landscape Building becomes an indistinguishable part of the sloping meadow below. If one stands behind it, one has a clear, unobstructed view across the Potomac River into the verdant Maryland countryside. Photo: © Jeff Goldberg/Esto Photo: © Jeff Goldberg/Esto A north-facing glazed corridor runs the length of the building on each floor, providing circulation, dividing the offices and labs, and allowing light to penetrate inside. All floors offer easy connections between the interior and the site. Photo: © Jeff Goldberg/Esto The ribbons are bisected by two atria, each anchored by a grand cantilevered staircase that accesses all three levels and provides egress to the meadow. The atria are designed to encourage random encounters among the scientists. Generously sized landings provide inviting space for interaction. Photo: © Jeff Goldberg/Esto Horizontally, the building has a rational layout divided into three sinuous ribbons. To the back, tucked into the hillside, is the mechanical corridor, where all of the services terminate. The middle ribbon is reserved for laboratories and support spaces. The front includes office and meeting spaces that alternate with outdoor terraces and courtyards. Beneath these terraces, the labs, support areas, offices, meeting rooms, and communal spaces are arranged in a three-level stack that is horizontally offset to follow the slope of the site. On the lowest level, overlooking the pond, is the main entrance hall, including large areas for social functions, dining areas, and meeting rooms. The next level, which is above and to the south, contains a long open plan of lab benches, support spaces, and office clusters. Model photo courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC Site Plan Sketch courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC Landscape Building Plan Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects PC Landscape Building Section Completed: September 2006 Total Site: 281 acres (part of 689 acres owned by HHM) Total Built Area: 740,411 gross square feet Size of Landscape Building: 581,000 gross square feet Client: Howard Hughes Medical Institute Architect: Rafael Viñoly Architects PC Rafael Viñoly Jay Bargmann Charles Clements Sami Basuhail Charles Blomberg David Hodge Tsune Tsuda George Salinas Roberto Alfie Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti Group, Newark, NJ Landscape Design, Civil Engineering: Dewberry & Davis, Fairfax, VA General Contractor: Turner Construction Company, Washington, DC Rafael Viñoly arcspace features September 18, 2006