Jerome L. Greene Science Center

Part of the first phase of Columbia’s new Manhattanville Campus, the Jerome L. Greene Science Center is a new 450,000-square-foot research facility.

Location

New York, USA

Client

Columbia University

Project Status

Completed in 2017

Architect

Renzo Piano Building Workshop

A State-of-the-Art Facility

The new nine-story, 450,000-square-foot building houses an NHP barrier facility, brain imaging facilities, state-of-the-art laboratories for core research and world-class conference facilities and spaces at the penthouse level. The building was designed to maximize creative collaboration, with elements such as open stairways and bridges at the axis and corners of the building, connecting offices, labs and research areas, and common spaces.

A Structure for Open Spaces

To enable the university’s requirement for large spans and open spaces, WSP USA structural engineers used a steel structural framing system. This system also allowed for column-free conference rooms and laboratory spaces, and complemented the architectural intent.

WSP worked closely with the architectural team at Renzo Piano Building Workshop and the building owners to tie the aesthetics of the building structure into the design and provide ample public space. A two-story open space on the first floor is made possible by the addition of pickup trusses on the second floor. Exposed steel members were used throughout to highlight the elegance of the structural system.

Vibration Sensitivity

Laboratory areas require special attention be paid to building vibration. Given the lightness of the steel structural system, which can be prone to excessive vibration due to reduced mass and stiffness, WSP USA performed an extensive study to optimize steel member size, location and connections. Based off the results of the study, adjustments to the mass and stiffness of the structural elements throughout the building were made to meet the vibration criterion required for research and medical equipment.