Building 35: Natural Sciences Building

The new three-story Natural Science Building forms the western edge of campus and compliments an existing science building to create a Natural Sciences Complex. The complex provides specialized instruction for geology, physics, anatomy, chemistry, and microbiology, with 11 labs, (4) 50 person classrooms and (1) 100 person lecture hall, 21 Full time Faculty Offices and 6 Adjunct offices. An intricate issue identified from the project’s start centered on how to combine laboratory program elements, which required a high powered and intensive mechanical system, with offices and classroom spaces that were to be naturally ventilated and passively cooled. This required programmatic separation, but it was important not to isolate any of the components. It was also important to provide flex spaces for students to congregate for informal study outside of the classrooms. At all stages of design, the team focused on sustainability. Although the Natural Science Building uses many of today’s exciting green building technologies, the design team first focused on proper solar orientation and massing. The second stages of design used passive techniques to daylight and ventilate the building. We feel sustainability should originate from responsible design and not rely only on new technology.