California State University, Sacramento’s (Sac State) new 96,631-sf Ernest E. Tschannen Science Complex recently had its ceremonial topping out event. The five-story complex on the banks of the American River will feature an energy-efficient design and abundant natural light with laboratory space for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Dubbed the Ernest E. Tschannen Science Complex, the CO Architects-designed $91.5 million building’s façade is inspired by the rippling effect created when a stone is tossed into water. The planetarium and its 2,500-sf dome, located at the building’s inward inflection point, is meant to represent the stone’s impact, with the patterned window system radiating outward to emulate the ripples.
Courtesy CO Architects.
The complex’s instructional laboratories will have large expanses of glass adjacent to public corridors to display the work occurring within and connect students and faculty. The corridors branch out from naturally lit central lobbies on each floor. Students can use these central lobbies to collaborate and study. An observatory is accessible from the rooftop and will feature a retractable roof and two telescopes.
Courtesy CO Architects.
The landscape was also designed to be able to double as a teaching tool where biologists and botanists can experiment and teach outside of their labs. An outdoor plaza will offer additional space to gather, study, or rest. Additionally, a green roof will be accessible from a continuous ramp and stairs.
The Ernest E. Tschannen Science Complex is targeting LEED gold certification and is slated for completion in June 2019. The Build Team includes Sundt Construction, P2S Inc. (MEP), Buehler & Buehler Structural Engineers (SE), Cunningham Engineering (CE, landscape architecture).
Courtesy CO Architects.
Courtesy CO Architects.
Related Stories
| Sep 30, 2011
Design your own floor program
Program allows users to choose from a variety of flooring and line accent colors to create unique floor designs to complement any athletic facility.
| Sep 23, 2011
Okanagan College sets sights on Living Buildings Challenge
The Living Building Challenge requires projects to meet a stringent list of qualifications, including net-zero energy and water consumption, and address critical environmental, social and economic factors.
| Sep 14, 2011
Research shows large gap in safety focus
82% of public, private and 2-year specialized colleges and universities believe they are not very effective at managing safe and secure openings or identities.
| Sep 7, 2011
KSS Architects wins AIA NJ design award
The project was one of three to win the award in the category of Architectural/Non-Residential.
| May 18, 2011
Major Trends in University Residence Halls
They’re not ‘dorms’ anymore. Today’s collegiate housing facilities are lively, state-of-the-art, and green—and a growing sector for Building Teams to explore.
| May 18, 2011
Raphael Viñoly’s serpentine-shaped building snakes up San Francisco hillside
The hillside location for the Ray and Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine building at the University of California, San Francisco, presented a challenge to the Building Team of Raphael Viñoly, SmithGroup, DPR Construction, and Forell/Elsesser Engineers. The 660-foot-long serpentine-shaped building sits on a structural framework 40 to 70 feet off the ground to accommodate the hillside’s steep 60-degree slope.
| Apr 13, 2011
Duke University parking garage driven to LEED certification
People parking their cars inside the new Research Drive garage at Duke University are making history—they’re utilizing the country’s first freestanding LEED-certified parking structure.
| Apr 12, 2011
Rutgers students offered choice of food and dining facilities
The Livingston Dining Commons at Rutgers University’s Livingston Campus in New Brunswick, N.J., was designed by Biber Partnership, Summit, N.J., to offer three different dining rooms that connect to a central servery.