The ILSB was conceived to showcase science on the UMBC campus.
The research and teaching laboratories line a north facing glass wall, providing light and views while allowing visibility into the labs from campus. These laboratories form a glass clad layer that is grafted onto a brick volume that blends with the existing campus in scale and materiality. The laboratory layer inflects inward to preserve mature trees and give space to a major campus passage linking the academic core and resident life areas. The glass cladding wraps the volume to front onto a campus quad where a slightly elevated entry terrace welcomes the campus community.
The building also includes a number of large active learning classrooms that are arranged in a second layer behind the laboratories. A two story student commons featuring a dynamic public art installation occupies the space between these two program layers and provides an indoor campus passage parallel to the campus walkway. This space establishes a memorable home on campus for the sciences while facilitating high student traffic flow. Glass partitions between the commons and laboratories highlight the beauty of scientific tools and invite curiosity about its processes.
Energy efficient building systems using DOAS air handlers and chilled beam cooling, a green roof at the third floor, and a site design featuring rain gardens surrounded by flowing walkways demonstrate institutional commitment to sustainability. The building complements the campus in its scale and materiality while using transparency to engage the community in the excitement of science.
All the information about how to enter the 2020 WAN Awards is here.
We are very happy to offer support so please don’t hesitate to email Georgia, WAN Awards Event Coordinator with any questions at Georgia.Baily@haymarket.com.
Last year more than 40 countries took part in the WAN Awards with strong showings from Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. And we saw some truly outstanding projects, take a look at the winners from last year here.