Rafael Viñoly Architects - The Carl Icahn Laboratory

Rafael Viñoly Architects
The Carl Icahn Laboratory
The Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey

The atrium has clear uninterrupted panoramic views into the playing field through a lattice-like screen of louvers.

Photo: arcspace

Following a revised version of a May 1999 Princeton Master Plan proposal, the new facility is located on the South Campus of Princeton University. The Master Plan identifies a triangular site, south of the Lewis-Thomas Laboratory along the northeast edge of a planned ellipse. In final form, the ellipse will define the southern edge of the campus expansion while creating a green space for recreational activity.

Photo: arcspace

A principal goal of the Genomics Institute is to promote the intellectual cross pollination between the fields of molecular biology, chemistry, physic, computer science and theory. Beyond the specific program needs of individual labs, the building's design was determined by the paramount need for flexibility as research and researchers change with the pace of Genomic science.

Photo: arcspace

Using the triangular site to its best advantage Viñoly designed two perpendicular rectangular building blocks on the northern and eastern edges of the triangular site, and a curved glass facade, enclosing a two-story atrium space, positioned due south. By making the southern facade transparent the atrium space becomes an extension of the exterior.

Photo: arcspace

Thirty-one aluminum louvers, standing 40-feet tall, provide sun screening outside the glass facade. The exterior louver system tracks the sun's movement throughout the year, taking full advantage of the building's southern exposure.
Because of the additional sun shading provided by the louver system, heat gain is lessened in the atrium dramatically reducing the total cooling load on the building HVAC system. The effectiveness of the solar shading system made it feasible to use clear glazing, albeit low-e glass for the curtain wall.

Photo: arcspace

The custom designed system of thirty-one individual motors and hydraulics jacks, which drive the movement, can be repaired or replaced by University engineers with standard available parts.

Photo: arcspace

The soaring atrium space contains a small auditorium below a circular lounge area, various seating areas and a coffee shop. A casual meeting room in a Frank Gehry sculpture, originally planned for the Peter Lewis house, invites scientists to interact and exchange ideas. The changing light throughout the day, and the shadows created by the the lattice-like screen of louvers, makes the atrium a cheerful and inviting space.

Photo: arcspace

In addition to the exterior louver design, to shade the atrium, other daylighting devices were used to enhance and tie together the rest of the program.
In the two large cantilevered conference rooms, a Viñoly signature design, a combination of unusually tall clerestories and automated screening devices maximize the daylighting appropriate for a room of that function.

Photo: arcspace

The specialized laboratories, that occupy two levels of the buildings, are made up entirely of demountable systems. These systems consists of modular lab bench and cantilever casework systems as well as modular partitions. Utilizing these systems allows whole labs to be taken apart systematically and reconfigured to fit the needs of the next research project with significantly less labor, time and disruption, than conventional construction. The mechanical infrastructure that feeds the two lab blocks is located on top of the building.
The vivarium and the mechanical systems are located in the basement where an underground tunnel connect the next door Lewis/Thomas Laboratory Building to the Genomics Building. Several classrooms will be added at the basement level.

Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects
Model

Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects
Site Plan

Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects
Ground Floor Plan

Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects
Section

Visit the Image Library to download larger images.

Completed: 2002

Total Square Footage 95,000 square feet
Total Square Footage of Labs 32,000 square feet
Total Square Footage of Vivarium 10,500 square feet

Client: Princeton University

Architect: Rafael Viñoly Architects

MEP Engineer, Lighting, Acoustic and Security Consultant:
Burt Hill Kosar Rittelmann Associates
Laboratory Consultant:
GPR Planners Collaborative, Inc.
Structural Engineer:
Dewhurst, Macfarlane & Partners, Inc.
Acoustical/Vibration Control Consultant:
Acentech, Inc.
Construction Manager:
Barr & Barr, Inc.
Landscape Architect:
Quennell Rothschild & Partners, LLP
Specification Writer:
Robert Schwartz & Associates
Civil Engineer:
Van Note-Harvey Associates, PC
Louver Design Engineer:
Carlos Soubie

Rafael Viñoly also designed the Princeton University Stadium.

Photo: arcspace
Princeton University recently commissioned Frank Gehry to design the new Science Center and Library which will also be supported by a gift from trustee Peter Lewis. The design proposes a five-level, 85,000 square foot building featuring a central tower with bold, curved shapes and accompanying wings.

Rafael Viñoly arcspace features

February 17, 2003





				Features
		Rafael Viñoly Architects The Carl Icahn Laboratory The Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics Princeton University Princeton, New Jersey The atrium has clear uninterrupted panoramic views into the playing field through a lattice-like screen of louvers. Photo: arcspace Following a revised version of a May 1999 Princeton Master Plan proposal, the new facility is located on the South Campus of Princeton University. The Master Plan identifies a triangular site, south of the Lewis-Thomas Laboratory along the northeast edge of a planned ellipse. In final form, the ellipse will define the southern edge of the campus expansion while creating a green space for recreational activity. Photo: arcspace A principal goal of the Genomics Institute is to promote the intellectual cross pollination between the fields of molecular biology, chemistry, physic, computer science and theory. Beyond the specific program needs of individual labs, the building's design was determined by the paramount need for flexibility as research and researchers change with the pace of Genomic science. Photo: arcspace Photo: arcspace Using the triangular site to its best advantage Viñoly designed two perpendicular rectangular building blocks on the northern and eastern edges of the triangular site, and a curved glass facade, enclosing a two-story atrium space, positioned due south. By making the southern facade transparent the atrium space becomes an extension of the exterior. Photo: arcspace Thirty-one aluminum louvers, standing 40-feet tall, provide sun screening outside the glass facade. The exterior louver system tracks the sun's movement throughout the year, taking full advantage of the building's southern exposure. Because of the additional sun shading provided by the louver system, heat gain is lessened in the atrium dramatically reducing the total cooling load on the building HVAC system. The effectiveness of the solar shading system made it feasible to use clear glazing, albeit low-e glass for the curtain wall. Photo: arcspace The custom designed system of thirty-one individual motors and hydraulics jacks, which drive the movement, can be repaired or replaced by University engineers with standard available parts. Photo: arcspace Photo: arcspace The soaring atrium space contains a small auditorium below a circular lounge area, various seating areas and a coffee shop. A casual meeting room in a Frank Gehry sculpture, originally planned for the Peter Lewis house, invites scientists to interact and exchange ideas. The changing light throughout the day, and the shadows created by the the lattice-like screen of louvers, makes the atrium a cheerful and inviting space. Photo: arcspace In addition to the exterior louver design, to shade the atrium, other daylighting devices were used to enhance and tie together the rest of the program. In the two large cantilevered conference rooms, a Viñoly signature design, a combination of unusually tall clerestories and automated screening devices maximize the daylighting appropriate for a room of that function. Photo: arcspace The specialized laboratories, that occupy two levels of the buildings, are made up entirely of demountable systems. These systems consists of modular lab bench and cantilever casework systems as well as modular partitions. Utilizing these systems allows whole labs to be taken apart systematically and reconfigured to fit the needs of the next research project with significantly less labor, time and disruption, than conventional construction. The mechanical infrastructure that feeds the two lab blocks is located on top of the building. The vivarium and the mechanical systems are located in the basement where an underground tunnel connect the next door Lewis/Thomas Laboratory Building to the Genomics Building. Several classrooms will be added at the basement level. Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects Model Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects Site Plan Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects Ground Floor Plan Drawing courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects Section Visit the Image Library to download larger images. Completed: 2002 Total Square Footage 95,000 square feet Total Square Footage of Labs 32,000 square feet Total Square Footage of Vivarium 10,500 square feet Client: Princeton University Architect: Rafael Viñoly Architects MEP Engineer, Lighting, Acoustic and Security Consultant: Burt Hill Kosar Rittelmann Associates Laboratory Consultant: GPR Planners Collaborative, Inc. Structural Engineer: Dewhurst, Macfarlane & Partners, Inc. Acoustical/Vibration Control Consultant: Acentech, Inc. Construction Manager: Barr & Barr, Inc. Landscape Architect: Quennell Rothschild & Partners, LLP Specification Writer: Robert Schwartz & Associates Civil Engineer: Van Note-Harvey Associates, PC Louver Design Engineer: Carlos Soubie Rafael Viñoly also designed the Princeton University Stadium. Photo: arcspace Princeton University recently commissioned Frank Gehry to design the new Science Center and Library which will also be supported by a gift from trustee Peter Lewis. The design proposes a five-level, 85,000 square foot building featuring a central tower with bold, curved shapes and accompanying wings. Rafael Viñoly arcspace features February 17, 2003