Princeton University Neuroscience and Psychology

Deanna Schmidt, PE, LEED AP, Arup
Leo DeJoie, PE, Arup

The Princeton University Neuroscience and Psychology Complex is the University's newest facility in its natural sciences neighborhood. The two-building complex will house the interdisciplinary Princeton Neuroscience Institute, and the Department of Psychology. Researchers from the departments of molecular biology and psychology, chemistry, computer science, ecology, evolutionary biology, electrical engineering, mathematics, mechanical and aerospace engineering, and physics, amongst others, will utilize the facilities' shared research areas.

The architects for the project are José Rafael Moneo Vallés Arquitecto, the Madrid-based firm headed by award-winning architect José Rafael Moneo, working on the project with Davis Brody Bond, a New York City firm with extensive science experience. The complex will encompass 248,000 gross square feet, featuring state-of-the-art research facilities, such as MEG, EEG, MRI and TMS, outfitted for low vibration and electromagnetic field restrictions.

The contemporary structures have been sited to take advantage of the landscape, with two of the psychology building's five stories nestled into the ground on the north side emerging to ground level on the basement and external walls of opaque glass bisected by clear ribbons of "vision glass." The nonconnecting walls of the two structures will have a luminous quality. They will be composed of two "skins" of glass with a three-foot-wide airspace sandwiched between them. The outer skin is a ribbed "glass curtain" that serves as a sunscreen, and the inner skin is a smooth weather barrier of high-performance glass. The insulating space between them is open at each end to allow air to circulate.

Sustainability elements are a major focus of the design. The systems distribution approach maximizes ceiling heights throughout the perimeter and into the analysis portions of the laboratory block, achieving maximum daylight wherever possible. The facility features lighting controls throughout, with programmable circadian cycles in research settings, daylight sensing, and occupancy sensors tied to the building's automation system. The distribution methods selected maximize flexibility for future facility modifications in response to evolution of research equipment, techniques and to suit the interdisciplinary nature of the facility. Animal holding laboratories implement intelligent air ventilation control system.

The Neuroscience and Psychology Complex offers lessons for planning and execution of a flexible laboratory environment with a focus on energy efficiency. Currently submitted for New Jersey Pay for Performance, Neuroscience and Psychology Complex is schedule to open Fall 2013.

Biographies:

Deanna Schmidt has lead complex building projects in Arup's New York group since 2006 with particular experience in laboratory, research facilities and healthcare design. She has ten years of construction administration, electrical distribution and hands-on site survey experience. Deanna's strengths lie in multidisciplinary coordination and management of the design/construction process from initial concept through to building occupancy. Deanna was the electrical engineer for the new Princeton University Neurosciences building.

Yves-Leo Dejoie has extensive professional engineering experience in the public and private sectors, specializing in all aspects of engineering design, project management and construction administration and management. With over 23 years of HVAC design experience he has become an expert in the design of a wide range of educational, commercial, industrial, pharmaceutical and health care facilities. At Arup, Yves-Leo is responsible for the design and coordination of HVAC projects. His duties include performing load calculations, laying out the design and systems, meeting with client representatives to discuss and resolve design issues, and coordination on the design with other engineering disciplines. Leo was Senior Mechanical Engineer for the new Princeton University Neuroscience Lab.

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