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The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building

A comprehensive research facility designed within the urban site of Texas Medical Center campus

Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building

Information

The Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building is the home for the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The building is a composition of separate functional “species.” Each species – including dry and wet laboratories, faculty and research offices, a 200-seat auditorium, vivarium, conferencing areas and other support spaces are designed as their own typology fulfilling the specific needs of its function and use. These separate building elements are connected by an atrium and circulation spaces. Building orientation allows optimum penetration and control of natural light in relationship to the differing programmatic elements of flexible laboratory space, support laboratories, office, and common areas. The separation of office and lab elements enabled the environmental control system to capture and reuse energy that would normally have been wasted. The building also has a specialized facade design that responds to the Houston climate.

Impact + Innovation

Located on an urban site within the Texas Medical Center campus, the facility is designated to support research collaboration in the area of molecular medicine, particularly in genetics and proteomics and bioinformatics. The leaders of the Brown Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM) wanted the facility to be a model for collaborative science and research that encouraged both formal and informal interaction among all members of the research teams. From the relationship with the outdoors, to the architecture of the building, to the interior spaces, the approach considers form and function holistically, promoting the productivity and well-being of users. The Fayez S. Sarofim Research Center design was based on three underlying principles: place, collaboration and sustainability. The design focuses on creating a dynamic, interactive environment conducive to research and learning on multiple levels, embodying community building strategies that make the facility unusually extroverted in order to reveal and demystify the science within.

Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building

Process

The entire project team was committed to the highest aspirations for the Fayez S. Sarofim Research building. The process was a collaborative effort to seek a design response equaling the expectations and goals for the facility that were held by all of the stakeholders. The design team included representatives from each of the disciplines with complementary expertise. The equally large client group included representatives from The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of Texas System Office of Facility Planning and Construction. The process was the key element that led the design from the initial idea to the building that stands today. To fully comprehend what was possible and, ultimately, what was the right course of action required a high level of participation from the client and users. The process was open and inclusive, founded in a method of holistic thinking called “integrated design,” which is achieved both through organized collaboration between disciplines and through the interweaving and interconnectivity of building systems. The progressive leadership of the IMM and the UT Health Science Center established a vision for collaborative science in both the laboratory and the architecture. By embracing that spirit of collaboration, the team created a laboratory founded upon the highest principles of scientific discovery, community, human health, fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship, enabling the prevention of human diseases.

People

Team

  • James Pfeiffer
  • Steve McDowell
  • Sarah Hirsch
  • Casey Cassias
  • Bob Berkebile
  • Mark Kohles
  • Brian McKinney
  • Mike Pollmann
  • Jara Klouckova
  • Therese Allinder
  • Julie Miler
  • Jim Miler
  • Filippo Castore
  • Mark Shapiro
  • Christopher Koon
  • Joe Keal
  • Kimberly Hickson
  • Jennifer Isom
  • Ron Finney
  • Gretchen Holy
  • Christine Anders
  • Robin Dukelow
  • Barbara Cugno
  • Mohit Mehta
  • Rick Schladweiler
  • Aralia Sendejas
  • Phaedra Svec
  • Evan Weir
  • Casey West
  • David Immenschuh
  • Brian Rock
  • Monica Rodriguez
  • David Bell
  • Ashley Whitham
  • Gary Jarvis
  • Darren Oppliger
  • Christina Assmann
  • Anand Parthasarathy
  • Curtis Simmons
  • Bryan Gross
  • Kristin Long
  • Craig Serig
  • Gary Nevius
  • Brittany Gamble
  • Margaret Wells
  • Shawn Gehle

Client

The University of Texas System

Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building
Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building

Awards

Metal Architecture
Design Award, Smooth Metal Walls
2007

AIA Kansas
Merit Award, Architecture
2007

AIA Houston
Honor Award
2007

Texas Society of Architects
Honor Award
2006

Texas Construction Magazine
Best of Higher Education Award
2006

AIA Kansas City
Merit Award
2006

AIA Central States Region
Merit Award in Architecture
2006

AIA Houston
Merit Award, Unbuilt
2005

AIA Kansas
Excellence in Architecture, Unbuilt
2004

Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building

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