OPTIMIZING ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN HEALTH, WITHIN AND WITHOUT
The Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (BSE) Education Facility at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville, Maryland was designed to optimize the built environment’s impact on human and environmental resiliency – making it one of the most sustainable laboratory buildings in the country. Biophilic strategies drove the LEED Platinum design, resulting in a delicate environmental footprint that enhances human health through access to daylight, healthy air, and views to nature while restoring the adjacent wetland. 87% of the BSE’s occupied spaces have exterior views complemented by natural materials like reclaimed wood, living walls, and water features – fostering feelings of wellbeing and improving productivity. The building’s biophilic design connects students, staff, and visitors to a sense of place, resulting in occupants that are invested in the happenings of the BSE and broader community. This diversity of users is also reflected in the building’s broad range of dedicated study, research, and teaching spaces, each of which is physically and visually connected to flexible breakout areas for informal collaboration and inclusive gathering.
Completed at Lake Flato Architects - more photography here
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Location
Rockville, MDGround
ExurbanProgram
EducationIntervention
New ConstructionSize
228,000 sfServices
Architectural Design -
Design Architect
Lake Flato ArchitectsArchitect of Record
Cooper CaryDesign Landscape Architect
Mahan Rykiel AssociatesStructural Engineer
Cagley & AssociatesMEP Engineer
Affiliated EngineersPlumbing
Global Engineering SolutionsCivil Engineer
Site ResourcesLab Planning
Research Facilities DesignAV/IT/Security
Convergent Technologies Design GroupGeotechnical Engineer
Schnabel EngineeringGeneral Contractor
Gilbane Building Company -
2024 AIA Committee on the Environment Top Ten Award
2022 SCUP Excellence in Architecture Merit Award
2022 Institute for Sustainable Laboratories Award
2021 USGBC National Capital Region Judge’s Choice Award
2021 Montgomery Planning Design Excellence Award for Excellence in Building and Site Design
2021 IIDA Georgia Best of the Best Awards
2021 AIA San Antonio Merit Award
2021 AIA Potomac Valley Honor Award – Institutional Architecture
2021 AIA Potomac PV Award – Recognizing “Best in Show” Design Exemplifying Elements of AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence
2021 AIA Maryland Vision Award
2021 AIA Maryland Jury Citation for Institutional Architecture
2020 NAIOP DC | MD Award of Excellence, Best Institutional Facility
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The two-year design process for this project kicked-off with an Integrated Design Workshop involving project stakeholders as well as the entire consultant team – nearly 100 people in total. The resulting “living document” captured specific metrics for success that were referenced and refined throughout the design process, ensuring that the architecture and landscape fulfilled stringent energy, water, air quality, and other targets that eventually resulted in LEED Platinum Certification.