University of Wisconsin—Madison, Microbial Sciences Building

Madison, Wisconsin

Firm

Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP

Client

State of Wisconsin

Area

330,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$68,918,000

Completion Date

10/2007

The Microbial Sciences Building is designed to provide an inviting, stimulating work environment with world-class research and instructional facilities. The 330,000-square-foot facility houses the research, teaching and outreach activities of three science departments. It features a 450-seat symposium center, a discovery center, highly sophisticated classrooms, modern instructional laboratories, and neighborhoods of physically secure research laboratories, support space, and investigator offices to encourage interaction and connectivity among users.
Sustainable standards incorporated into the project include daylighting, roof gardens, recycled-content materials, building-system commissioning, construction waste management, certified woods, zoned HVAC control systems, sun shading and fixture sensors. Each laboratory neighborhood is physically secure and consists of an instrument corridor with lab support space opening into laboratory space.
The overwhelming desire to foster researcher interaction and create a collegiate connection within the different programs, combined with long winter months, gave rise to the building’s concept and form. The design segregates teaching and public facilities to the lower two floors, while maintaining a secure perimeter for the more sensitive research spaces housed on the upper four floors.

“Modern building with a lot of openness. Maximized views with large windows. You can ‘feel’ the learning.”–2008 jury