Punit Jain, AIA, LEED AP®, Cannon Design
Laura Resier Wetzel, Ph.D., Eckerd College
Modern science buildings must be multidisciplinary. Gone are the days when a building must meet a single function or house a single department. Due to the accelerated rate of change science incurs (thanks to emerging technologies), modern spaces must be equipped to respect the past, accommodate the present, and prepare for the future. Buildings that achieve all three of these goals enable owners and clients to better utilize space, save money and energy, and attract students, faculty, and researchers.
The new Eckerd College Molecular and Life Sciences Building is designed to enhance the campus vernacular, respond to its warm Florida environment, maximize energy and cost savings, consider space utilization, and adapt to future flexibility. Tackling a project with such numerous demands requires thoughtful planning and the involvement of numerous stakeholders, as well as creativity.
Previously, Eckerd College housed its science and mathematics departments in four separate buildings. The new 60,000-square-foot Molecular and Life Sciences facility combines the biology and chemistry departments. The new space will offer state-of-the-art, flexible laboratories, classrooms, and meeting spaces that inspire collaboration. All of the laboratories are designed to a 31-foot-and-six-inch universal grid that allows them to adapt to changes in usage and programming, reflecting an incredibly innovative approach to the planning and design of modern science facilities.
The building also considers Eckerd College's traditional architecture on a sprawling, single-story campus that accommodates approximately 1,800 students.
The building is on the cutting-edge of sustainability. Currently targeting LEED® Gold, it features a solar array on top of the roof that provides 18 percent of the building's electricity requirements, which is a remarkable amount. The overall flexibility and adaptability of the building will enable it to endure for decades, making it sustainable for the long-term. Other environmental features include shading and air-handling systems to mitigate the intense Florida heat, recycled water, and materials with high recycled content.
Biographies:
Punit Jain is a key member of Cannon Design's Science and Technology practice, with extensive experience in laboratory architecture. Mr. Jain serves as Cannon Design's sustainable design leader, responsible for promoting high-performance design through LEED certification, conducting training for the firm's professionals, and championing sustainable design practices. Mr. Jain was appointed to the National Board of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which is widely recognized as one of the most influential institutions in the sustainable movement worldwide. Mr. Jain is a frequent presenter at major industry forums, including Labs21, the Sierra Club, and the Association of University Research Parks (AURP), as well as the USGBC, where he also served as president of its St. Louis chapter. Mr. Jain most recently presented at the Labs21 2010 Annual Conference. He has also been recognized with the Growing Green Award in the "Quietly Green" category for his dedication and service to sustainable design in the community at large.
Laura Reiser Wetzel is the chair of the Natural Science Collegium at Eckerd College.