Cell and Genome Sciences Building Receives National Recognition

The award cites the transformation of a non-descript building into a state-of-the-art facility.

<p>The Cell and Genome Sciences building has white boards in corridors so when researchers gather for impromptu meetings in hallways they can write down their thoughts. Photo by Lanny Nagler</p>
The Cell and Genome Sciences Building has white boards in its corridors, so that when researchers hold impromptu meetings in the hallways they can write down their thoughts. (Lanny Nagler for UConn Health Center)

UConn’s Cell and Genome Sciences Building has been cited as 2011 Renovated Laboratory of the Year by R&D Magazine.

The Laboratory of the Year competition, now in its 45th year, evaluates laboratory facilities on lab planning and design, flow, plant operations, aesthetics, energy efficiency, sustainability, cost, and more.

In announcing the 2011 recognition, R&D Magazine said, “The transformation of the University of Connecticut Health Center’s Cell and Genome Sciences Building in Farmington from a nondescript, late-1970s industrial research building into a state-of-the-art university research facility demonstrates how older buildings can find new life. Architect Goody Clancy of Boston brought daylight into interior corridors and reconfigured the floor plan to facilitate workflow and collaboration.”

A profile of the facility will be published in the May/June 2011 issue of Laboratory Design Newsletter and R&D Magazine.

“This is a great honor and attests to the talent and tireless efforts of Roger Goldstein and Michael Feeley and their team at Goody Clancy, and of Tom Trutter and Kevin Norton and their Health Center colleagues,” says Marc Lalande, associate dean of research planning and coordination.

The 117,000-square-foot Cell and Genome Sciences building located at 400 Farmington Avenue houses more than 100 scientists working in 25 laboratories. It is the newest addition to the Health Center’s research enterprise.

The building houses sophisticated technologies, including highly specialized imaging equipment; three-dimensional, laser-based microscopes; a major data center and super-computers; and next-generation sequencers. It also features a meeting area known as “the crossroads” and the Edmund and Arlene Grossman Auditorium, specifically designed for optimal use for scientific presentations, demonstrations, and interdisciplinary and regional research symposia. It also includes incubator space for emerging bioscience industries.

<p>The 117,000 square foot research facility houses more than 100 scientists working in 25 laboratories. Photo by Lanny Nagler</p>
The 117,000-square-foot research facility houses more than 100 scientists working in 25 laboratories. (Lanny Nagler for UConn Health Center)
<p>The Cell and Genome Science Building has been transformed from a nondescript research building into a state-of-the-art facility filled with light and interesting architectural details. Photo by Lanny Nagler </p>
The former industrial research building has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility filled with light and interesting architectural details. (Lanny Nagler for UConn Health Center)
<p>The Edmund and Arlene Grossman Auditorium is specifically designed for optimal use for scientific presentations. Photo by Lanny Nagler</p>
The Edmund and Arlene Grossman Auditorium is specifically designed for optimal use for scientific presentations. (Lanny Nagler for UConn Health Center)