Since 2003, the University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering has grown considerably. The program outgrew the existing 165,000 sf building and found itself needing more space.
Enter the Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering. Designed by LMN Architects, the 140,000-sf facility expands the current capacity of the school and provides research spaces, classrooms and lecture spaces, faculty offices, and a new home for the School’s undergraduate majors. A central, naturally-lit atrium provides visual and physical connections to all the floors and acts as the school’s central hub. At the roof-level, an event center will support a wide range of educational needs, industry collaborations, and outreach functions. A cafe activates the primary entry and acts as a transition between the exterior landscape to the central atrium.
The building’s exterior features a two-sided curving form that responds to the site’s topography and the flow of campus circulation. The building’s facade system of terra cotta panels in four texture types acts as a juxtaposition against the modern black glass and metal.
See Also: University of Arizona Student Success District begins construction
The completed project is targeting LEED New Construction Silver.
Related Stories
| Oct 12, 2010
Full Steam Ahead for Sustainable Power Plant
An innovative restoration turns a historic but inoperable coal-burning steam plant into a modern, energy-efficient marvel at Duke University.
| Oct 6, 2010
From grocery store to culinary school
A former West Philadelphia supermarket is moving up the food chain, transitioning from grocery store to the Center for Culinary Enterprise, a business culinary training school.
| Sep 16, 2010
Green recreation/wellness center targets physical, environmental health
The 151,000-sf recreation and wellness center at California State University’s Sacramento campus, called the WELL (for “wellness, education, leisure, lifestyle”), has a fitness center, café, indoor track, gymnasium, racquetball courts, educational and counseling space, the largest rock climbing wall in the CSU system.
| Sep 13, 2010
Community college police, parking structure targets LEED Platinum
The San Diego Community College District's $1.555 billion construction program continues with groundbreaking for a 6,000-sf police substation and an 828-space, four-story parking structure at San Diego Miramar College.
| Sep 13, 2010
Campus housing fosters community connection
A 600,000-sf complex on the University of Washington's Seattle campus will include four residence halls for 1,650 students and a 100-seat cafe, 8,000-sf grocery store, and conference center with 200-seat auditorium for both student and community use.
| Sep 13, 2010
China's largest single-phase hospital planned for Shanghai
RTKL's Los Angles office is designing the Shanghai Changzheng New Pudong Hospital, which will be the largest new hospital built in China in a single phase.
| Sep 13, 2010
Richmond living/learning complex targets LEED Silver
The 162,000-sf living/learning complex includes a residence hall with 122 units for 459 students with a study center on the ground level and communal and study spaces on each of the residential levels. The project is targeting LEED Silver.
| Sep 13, 2010
'A Model for the Entire Industry'
How a university and its Building Team forged a relationship with 'the toughest building authority in the country' to bring a replacement hospital in early and under budget.
| Sep 13, 2010
Committed to the Core
How a forward-looking city government, a growth-minded university, a developer with vision, and a determined Building Team are breathing life into downtown Phoenix.
| Sep 13, 2010
College Sets Its Sights on a Difficult Site
Looking to expand within Boston's famed Longwood Medical Area, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences took a chance on an awkward site with a prestigious address and vocal neighbors.