Rochester Institute of Technology Invests in New Academic Research Building, Expands Scientific Programs
A new sustainable academic research facility by Francis Cauffman and Bergmann Associates will support new degree programs in the sciences and increase Rochester Institute of Technology’s research capacity.
Rochester, NY, March 24, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has selected the architecture team of Francis Cauffman and Bergmann Associates to design Institute Hall, a 78,000-sq.-ft, $26 million research building. The state-of-the-art facility will provide space for RIT’s new chemical and biomedical engineering departments and supplement the university’s reputation for outstanding engineering education. Along with other recent buildings, it will complete the science quadrangle on the Modernist campus. Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2010 with expected completion for the 2012 Fall semester.
“Institute Hall will become a magnificent multi-use facility that will support new programs in engineering, expand university research agendas, and support programs affiliated with our Rochester General Health System partnership,” says RIT President Bill Destler. “Institute Hall will also illustrate RIT’s commitment to a sustainable world, as the new building will be LEED certified.”
In addition to the chemical and biomedical engineering departments, the four-story research facility will house the chemistry department, wet research labs, and facilities related to the RIT-Rochester General Health System Alliance. It will also add classrooms and a small vivarium. A number of shared spaces will enhance the synergistic quality of the building’s departments, while specialized lab space will support their particular needs.
“Francis Cauffman prides itself on being at the forefront of trends in academic science buildings,” said Jim Crispino, president. “We are excited to design a top research facility that moves RIT into a position of academic leadership and celebrates an architectural legacy that includes buildings by some of the world’s best architects.”
“This project provides a significant design opportunity to carry forward the excellence in education for which RIT is well known. We hope that the interior spaces will inspire research and learning and that the facility will be a powerful recruitment tool for RIT,” said Richard Napoli, senior architect at Bergmann Associates.
The design of Institute Hall inverts the Modernist style of the original campus. While most of the buildings are solid red brick masses with dark glass, Institute Hall has a transparent, glazed core that is wrapped in a red brick shell. Institute Hall also makes graceful connections to the campus; in particular, it defines a new science quad that will serve as the meeting point between several existing science and technology buildings. It joins RIT’s portfolio of buildings by notable architects, including Hugh Stubbins & Associates, Roche Dinkeloo and Associates, Edward Larabee Barnes, and Harry Weese and Associates.
In keeping with the cutting-edge research performed within the facility, Institute Hall will also be a showcase for innovative, environmentally responsible building materials. RIT has made a campus-wide commitment to sustainability in its curricula, research, and physical environment; the university, which already has buildings certified LEED Platinum and Gold, anticipates that Institute Hall will achieve a rating of LEED Silver or higher.
Design Team
The design team has national credentials in research facilities and a strong history in Rochester. Francis Cauffman is responsible for programming, planning, and designing the building. Bergmann Associates, the architect of record, will provide interior design; M/E/P engineering; and landscape, site, and civil engineering services. The two firms are currently working together on the University of Rochester’s Clinical and Translational Science Building and on multiple phases of the expansion at F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua, New York.
Francis Cauffman
Francis Cauffman, an award-winning architecture firm with offices in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, has supported its clients since 1954 with innovative architecture, planning, and interior design services. The firm has a staff of 130 architects, and is active in 20 states and 3 countries. The firm is recognized for projects that foster academic research and teaching, research and advanced technology, and healthcare. Recent projects include the New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics at the University at Buffalo and Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s Center for Genetics and Pharmacology in Buffalo, New York; University of Rochester’s Clinical and Translational Science Building in Rochester; and projects for the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Bergmann Associates
Bergmann Associates is a progressive, forward-thinking architectural and engineering firm with three decades of success providing multi-disciplinary services to clients throughout the United States. Headquartered in Rochester, NY, Bergmann has nine U.S. offices and 340 professional and technical staff featuring talented planners, architects, interior designers, landscape architects, programmers, developers, structural, civil, environmental, mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineers. – Our People and Our Passion in Every Project.
Rochester Institute of Technology
RIT is internationally recognized for academic leadership in computing, engineering, imaging technology, and fine and applied arts, in addition to unparalleled access and support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Nearly 17,000 full- and part-time students are enrolled in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs at RIT, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. For two decades, U.S. News & World Report has ranked RIT among the nation’s leading comprehensive universities. RIT is featured in The Princeton Review’s 2010 edition of The Best 371 Colleges and in Barron’s Best Buys in Education. The Chronicle of Higher Education recognizes RIT as a “Great College to Work For.”
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“Institute Hall will become a magnificent multi-use facility that will support new programs in engineering, expand university research agendas, and support programs affiliated with our Rochester General Health System partnership,” says RIT President Bill Destler. “Institute Hall will also illustrate RIT’s commitment to a sustainable world, as the new building will be LEED certified.”
In addition to the chemical and biomedical engineering departments, the four-story research facility will house the chemistry department, wet research labs, and facilities related to the RIT-Rochester General Health System Alliance. It will also add classrooms and a small vivarium. A number of shared spaces will enhance the synergistic quality of the building’s departments, while specialized lab space will support their particular needs.
“Francis Cauffman prides itself on being at the forefront of trends in academic science buildings,” said Jim Crispino, president. “We are excited to design a top research facility that moves RIT into a position of academic leadership and celebrates an architectural legacy that includes buildings by some of the world’s best architects.”
“This project provides a significant design opportunity to carry forward the excellence in education for which RIT is well known. We hope that the interior spaces will inspire research and learning and that the facility will be a powerful recruitment tool for RIT,” said Richard Napoli, senior architect at Bergmann Associates.
The design of Institute Hall inverts the Modernist style of the original campus. While most of the buildings are solid red brick masses with dark glass, Institute Hall has a transparent, glazed core that is wrapped in a red brick shell. Institute Hall also makes graceful connections to the campus; in particular, it defines a new science quad that will serve as the meeting point between several existing science and technology buildings. It joins RIT’s portfolio of buildings by notable architects, including Hugh Stubbins & Associates, Roche Dinkeloo and Associates, Edward Larabee Barnes, and Harry Weese and Associates.
In keeping with the cutting-edge research performed within the facility, Institute Hall will also be a showcase for innovative, environmentally responsible building materials. RIT has made a campus-wide commitment to sustainability in its curricula, research, and physical environment; the university, which already has buildings certified LEED Platinum and Gold, anticipates that Institute Hall will achieve a rating of LEED Silver or higher.
Design Team
The design team has national credentials in research facilities and a strong history in Rochester. Francis Cauffman is responsible for programming, planning, and designing the building. Bergmann Associates, the architect of record, will provide interior design; M/E/P engineering; and landscape, site, and civil engineering services. The two firms are currently working together on the University of Rochester’s Clinical and Translational Science Building and on multiple phases of the expansion at F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua, New York.
Francis Cauffman
Francis Cauffman, an award-winning architecture firm with offices in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, has supported its clients since 1954 with innovative architecture, planning, and interior design services. The firm has a staff of 130 architects, and is active in 20 states and 3 countries. The firm is recognized for projects that foster academic research and teaching, research and advanced technology, and healthcare. Recent projects include the New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics at the University at Buffalo and Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s Center for Genetics and Pharmacology in Buffalo, New York; University of Rochester’s Clinical and Translational Science Building in Rochester; and projects for the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Bergmann Associates
Bergmann Associates is a progressive, forward-thinking architectural and engineering firm with three decades of success providing multi-disciplinary services to clients throughout the United States. Headquartered in Rochester, NY, Bergmann has nine U.S. offices and 340 professional and technical staff featuring talented planners, architects, interior designers, landscape architects, programmers, developers, structural, civil, environmental, mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineers. – Our People and Our Passion in Every Project.
Rochester Institute of Technology
RIT is internationally recognized for academic leadership in computing, engineering, imaging technology, and fine and applied arts, in addition to unparalleled access and support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Nearly 17,000 full- and part-time students are enrolled in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs at RIT, and its cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. For two decades, U.S. News & World Report has ranked RIT among the nation’s leading comprehensive universities. RIT is featured in The Princeton Review’s 2010 edition of The Best 371 Colleges and in Barron’s Best Buys in Education. The Chronicle of Higher Education recognizes RIT as a “Great College to Work For.”
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Contact
Francis Cauffman
Tami Hausman
646-742-1700
www.franciscauffman.com
Tami Hausman
646-742-1700
www.franciscauffman.com
Contact
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