Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building

A comprehensive research facility designed within the urban site of Texas Medical Center campus

Information

Location Houston, Texas
Size 229,250 SF
Completion 2005
Services Architecture
Project Type Health Sciences

The Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building is the home for the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. The building is a composition of separate functional “species.” Each species – including dry and wet laboratories, faculty and research offices, a 200-seat auditorium, vivarium, conferencing areas and other support spaces are designed as their own typology fulfilling the specific needs of its function and use. These separate building elements are connected by an atrium and circulation spaces. Building orientation allows optimum penetration and control of natural light in relationship to the differing programmatic elements of flexible laboratory space, support laboratories, office, and common areas. The separation of office and lab elements enabled the environmental control system to capture and reuse energy that would normally have been wasted. The building also has a specialized facade design that responds to the Houston climate.

Impact + Innovation

Located on an urban site within the Texas Medical Center campus, the facility is designated to support research collaboration in the area of molecular medicine, particularly in genetics and proteomics and bioinformatics. The leaders of the Brown Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM) wanted the facility to be a model for collaborative science and research that encouraged both formal and informal interaction among all members of the research teams. From the relationship with the outdoors, to the architecture of the building, to the interior spaces, the approach considers form and function holistically, promoting the productivity and well-being of users. The Fayez S. Sarofim Research Center design was based on three underlying principles: place, collaboration and sustainability. The design focuses on creating a dynamic, interactive environment conducive to research and learning on multiple levels, embodying community building strategies that make the facility unusually extroverted in order to reveal and demystify the science within.

Process

The entire project team was committed to the highest aspirations for the Fayez S. Sarofim Research building. The process was a collaborative effort to seek a design response equaling the expectations and goals for the facility that were held by all of the stakeholders. The design team included representatives from each of the disciplines with complementary expertise. The equally large client group included representatives from The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of Texas System Office of Facility Planning and Construction. The process was the key element that led the design from the initial idea to the building that stands today. To fully comprehend what was possible and, ultimately, what was the right course of action required a high level of participation from the client and users. The process was open and inclusive, founded in a method of holistic thinking called “integrated design,” which is achieved both through organized collaboration between disciplines and through the interweaving and interconnectivity of building systems. The progressive leadership of the IMM and the UT Health Science Center established a vision for collaborative science in both the laboratory and the architecture. By embracing that spirit of collaboration, the team created a laboratory founded upon the highest principles of scientific discovery, community, human health, fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship, enabling the prevention of human diseases.

Sustainability

The building is LEED GOLD certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and recieved an AIA COTE Top Ten Green Projects Award.
The building was designed to save 33% more than a similar ASHRAE 90.1 1999 compliant building.
The building was designed to easily install photovoltaics on the roof structure for further emission reductions and self-reliance.
Daylight penetration was a key strategy so that all occupants have access to natural light. Vertical atria and a horizontal atrium provide additional controlled daylight. Operable windows are installed throughout the building and could be open approximately 134 days or over 1/3 of the year.
Indoor air quality has been improved with healthy interior materials such as agri-fiber board and low VOC paints, adhesives and sealants.
For teaching and offices spaces, an under-floor air distribution system is used to increase energy efficiency and provide increased thermal comfort for building users by providing user controls.
Flexible building elements such as raised floor and demountable partitions will accommodate building changes over time.
Efficient plumbing fixtures such as waterless urinals, low flow lavatories and low flow showerheads are installed throughout.
Rainwater storage tanks capture approximately 826,140 gallons of rainwater or “grey” water (non-potable water) per year fulfilling the estimated 42,000 gallons needed each month for toilet flushing and irrigation.
Water reduction strategies amount to a 93% total reduction of potable water through the reuse of collected rainwater for flushing and irrigation, as compared to a LEED baseline case.
75% of the building’s total construction waste was recycled or salvaged—including waste from the deconstruction of the building that had previously occupied the site.
Building materials were chosen to minimize environmental impact and include recycled brick from a 19th century warehouse in Texas, wood siding from reclaimed cypress logs, aluminum panels specially fabricated with 92% recycled material, and structural steel specified to have more than 80% recycled content.
The building used 48% fly ash in its concrete mixture, saving approximately 1,808 tons of carbon dioxide that would have been released into the atmosphere.

People

Team

James Pfeiffer
Steve McDowell
Sarah Hirsch
Casey Cassias
Bob Berkebile
Mark Kohles
Brian McKinney
Mike Pollmann
Jara Klouckova
Therese Allinder
Julie Miler
Jim Miler
Filippo Castore
Mark Shapiro
Christopher Koon
Joe Keal
Kimberly Hickson
Jennifer Isom
Ron Finney
Gretchen Holy
Christine Anders
Robin Dukelow
Barbara Cugno
Mohit Mehta
Rick Schladweiler
Aralia Sendejas
Phaedra Svec
Evan Weir
Casey West
David Immenschuh
Brian Rock
Monica Rodriguez
David Bell
Ashley Whitham
Gary Jarvis
Darren Oppliger
Christina Assmann
Anand Parthasarathy
Curtis Simmons
Bryan Gross
Kristin Long
Craig Serig
Gary Nevius
Brittany Gamble
Margaret Wells
Shawn Gehle

Client

The University of Texas System

“The building is a tremendous asset in the recruiting process. This is a beautiful and flexible building that aligns with the high standards and goals of the IMM. With BNIM’s leadership we were able to achieve a new paradigm for collaborative science and research. The community has embraced the building as an ideal spot to host events and lectures. The water feature has been the greatest “discovery” for many within the building and within the TMC campus. The south decks are now a daily place of interaction for staff during breaks.”

Irma Gigli, MD, Deputy Director, IMM

“Just a brief note of appreciation to BNIM: Since back in February I’ve been eating my brown bag lunch every day beside the “water feature” of the Sarofim Building. Fewer than half a dozen days have been too hot for this, because of the mild-to-brisk cross breeze(s) designed into the site. There really isn’t anywhere else on campus to eat outdoors in the summertime without wrecking one’s work clothes in the heat/humidity—quite an accomplishment for BNIM!”

David Bates, Director of Media Relations, UTHSC-H