NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio consists primarily of a constellation of World War II-era brick buildings that lacked a central focus. The new Research Support Building (RSB), designed by TEN Arquitectos, will rectify this and create a nexus for the campus.
The two-story, 60,000-sf facility will rise on the main artery of Lewis Field. The design consists of rectilinear massings (airy volumes of glass and corrugated metal) meant to optimize program adjacencies and creative interactions, and allow for the creation of indoor and outdoor public green spaces.
RSB’s north-south elevated and cantilevered axis provides an extended covered plaza that leads to the entrance and will house a communal dining area, collaborative work space, and a gallery. RSB will include a display of rotating items from NASA’s archives to showcase the many achievements of the Glenn Research Center. Exposed trusses reduce the need for support and create 270-degree views that flood the interior with light.
See Also: This space hotel design from MIT won NASA’s graduate design competition
The main building will comprise dedicated and fluid work areas, open and private offices, meeting rooms, conference rooms, and training rooms. Enclosed double height and landscaped internal courtyards will allow natural light to reach deep into the surrounding work spaces. Also included is an 86,000-sf landscaped lawn known as Wright Commons.
Research Support Building is currently under construction with a 2020 completion target.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Dec 23, 2015
Good design alone won’t eradicate mindless meetings
Gensler's Johnathan Sandler discusses efficient alternatives to dull, wasteful workplace meetings.
Office Buildings | Dec 17, 2015
John Buck Company to develop CNA’s Chicago headquarters
The 35-story building will have plenty of column-free space.
Office Buildings | Dec 9, 2015
HOK collaborates with IFMA on new workplace strategy research report
Report cites work-life balance as the top reason for implementing “distributed work” strategies.
Greenbuild Report | Dec 8, 2015
Is ‘green’ still a selling point in the office sector?
Some developers are missing an opportunity by downplaying sustainability at a time when demand for such features is palpable among lessee firms who are trying to attract younger workers.
Energy Efficiency | Nov 16, 2015
Amazon will heat its new Seattle campus with waste heat from next-door data centers
Up to 4 million kilowatt-hours of energy will be saved each year.
Office Buildings | Nov 6, 2015
Real Madrid to get new headquarters designed by Rafael de La-Hoz
The design of the building is made of a set of two parallelepiped-shaped volumes.
Office Buildings | Nov 3, 2015
Emotional intelligence and design
In a world in which technology and its skills are constantly changing, good people skills are becoming more important, writes VOA's Angie Lee.
Office Buildings | Oct 19, 2015
10 ways to work better
Each office workplace requires a different blend of people, processes, tools, and spaces to support its employees. HDR's Allison Arnone has tips that can guide you toward the perfect balance for your company.
Office Buildings | Oct 16, 2015
#Thank you for sharing: How social media is reshaping the workplace
The rapid growth of mobile technologies threatens to push the desktop PC into extinction. When this happens, the most pertinent question for workplace designers will be what is the purpose of the desk, writes Gensler’s Philip Tidd.
Office Buildings | Oct 5, 2015
Renderings revealed for Apple's second 'spaceship': a curvy, lush office complex in Sunnyvale
The project has been dubbed as another “spaceship,” referencing the nickname for the loop-shaped Apple Campus under construction in Cupertino.
