Virginia Tech, Life Sciences I Building

Blacksburg, VA | 2008

The new Life Sciences Research Building and Vivarium completes one edge of a 35-acre research precinct planned by Shepley Bulfinch. The building's tower form at the building entry reinterprets the form of existing campus structures and announces the entry into the precinct.To foster collaboration, the two floors of research space for infectious disease and microbiology are designed around a double-height connection space with conference rooms along the perimeter. The facility includes an interdisciplinary imaging center shared with the department of engineering and various life sciences departments. Its labs are designed to be flexible to accommodate additional researchers. The exterior includes expanses of metal and glass detail to reflect the modern science within. The metal and glass detail also serves to contrast the heaviness of Hokie Stone, the indigenous limestone in which this building and the majority of buildings on the campus are clad.

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