Sophisticated Vision for Vanderbilt Project

A new, high-rise collaborative research building at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, combines biology, molecular biology and medical research — to encourage interaction between diverse disciplines. This project, the Biological Sciences/ Medical Research Building III, includes 260,000 sq. ft. of new construction; renovation of a previously existing 85,000-sq.-ft. laboratory; a 6,000 sq. ft. greenhouse; and a 9-story atrium. The architecture that helps facilitate this sophisticated, interdisciplinary vision draws on design that is innovative, yet responsive to the distinguished heritage of the institution.

Beginning in year 2000, this project has been a joint undertaking of the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine. The Biological Sciences/ Medical Research Building III provides a bridge between Arts & Sciences at Stevenson Science Center and the Medical Center; it has direct connections to four existing buildings, and to clinical and basic research. It houses the Department of Biological Sciences and research areas including neuroscience, genetics/genomics, cell and developmental biology, and structural biology. The facility provides research and teaching laboratories, research support areas, classrooms, conference rooms, and offices.

New construction was completed in 2002, with renovation of the adjoining Learned Laboratory Building completed in 2003. The facility is designed so that the new and renovated parts function as one research community, linked by the atrium. The research disciplines are mixed horizontally to have similar fields from the Medical School and the University on a floor. Generic lab modules are complemented by alcove areas that can be customized to individual research needs.

The building is located over the central loading dock which was replaced during the construction. The new loading dock handles 2,000,000 sq. ft of Medical Center space and includes research support facilities such as institutional safety, chemical storage and waste/recycling equipment.

Approximately 32,600 sq. ft of Alucobond® Plus Material of 4mm thickness is used in the project for fascia, soffit, spandrel, enclosures on the greenhouse and penthouse areas, as well as beam wrap. This aluminum composite material (two sheets of aluminum bonded to a proprietary plastic core) is frequently chosen for educational, scientific and research structures. Its rigid, visually flat appearance can contribute to a precise, “high-tech” look when desired, yet also remain compatible with more traditional materials, providing designers with the opportunity to convey the desired image. The material was provided in custom color finishes of white and grey.

William Wilson Associated Architects of Boston, MA, a 40-person architectural firm, provided architectural services for the project. The architectural firm specializes in the design of science, research and teaching facilities for higher-education, institutional and pharmaceutical clients. Centex Rodgers of Nashville was the construction manager. Subcontractor/erector of the Alucobond Material panels was Alexander Metals, Inc. of Nashville; John W. McDougall Co. of Nashville was Alucobond Material fabricator. Alexander Metals, Inc. received an ABC (Associated Builders & Contractors) Mid-Tennessee Chapter Award of Excellence in 2002 for this project.