science + health building

The program for the Science + Health Building consists of departmental offices, lecture halls, classrooms, teaching labs, research labs, and a new central chemical distribution facility for the entire chemistry department.  The building is seen as the “home” for chemistry, featuring the pedagogy of interdisciplinary teaching and research.

The building is a mixture of spaces to support the academic and research missions of the University. The programmatic layout allows long-term flexibility to adapt, meeting changing needs. The goal is to have the Science + Health Building serve as a pivotal scientific center of excellence for the campus, complementing the planned growth of the science quad. The building takes advantage of panoramic mountain views as it creates a vital linkage between key elements of the campus.

The building design is an open, flexible research platform with a multi-level atria space that provides open interaction and group study rooms adjacent to faculty and graduate student spaces. The atrium is naturally ventilated during the summer and solar heated during inclement winter months of Flagstaff. To minimize vertical movement of students, the first two levels include large lecture halls and mediated demonstration classrooms.

The building integrates a centralized chemical receiving and storage facility, resolving issues with the current chemical handling protocols for the north campus. Independent chemical and lab service distribution permits the “people” side of the building to be open and inviting, promoting interaction between students, faculty, and researchers.