Client: Montclair State University, College of Science & Mathematics
My Role: Owner, University Architect
Architect of Record: SLAM Collaborative
Contractor: Terminal Construction
AV Integrator: Sony Corporation
Telecommunication: Commercial Technology Contractors, Inc.
Photographer: Mike Peters

Project Area: 107,500 SF

 

Project Description:

 

The new Center for Environmental & Life Sciences (CELS) project will include construction of 100,000 (plus mechanical penthouse) gross square feet of new academic and research space and associated site development on the site of McEachern Hall, located along the eastern ridgeline of MSU’s upper campus.

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The CELS program identifies approximately 57,000 Net Square Feet of new space and is organized into four specific functional space categories:

Office:  departmental hub, private offices for all FT faculty offices, open offices for graduate students, adjuncts, visiting professors and technical staff.

Instructional:  departmental and CSAM assigned teaching labs, classrooms and support (i.e. prep / storage).

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Research:  shared and dedicated research space, including both traditional “wet” and dry labs, to support computational and equipment-intensive activities.

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Other:  includes common spaces such as multipurpose rooms, lobbies, lounges and support.

The CELS building will be focused on trans-disciplinary research. 

 

Key components of the proposed CELS program include:

• 7 trans-disciplinary research lab group suites (accommodating as many as 148 faculty and students)

• 6 core research labs, accommodating as many as 44 faculty and students

• 150-seat lecture hall

• Earth & Environmental Studies Department

• 4 institutes & centers office suites (+ 1 lab group)

• College of Science and Mathematics Dean’s Suite

• Lounges and study/breakout areas for students

 

Planning/Design Objectives:

• Create a new identity for the Sciences thru the building and landscape design (Formation of a Science Quad).

• Consolidate the Sciences and promote better adjacencies.

• Utilize program density to create a building with activity and a sense of place for the sciences.

• Design the building to compliment the campus context with the Quad to the west and the distant views to the east (New York City skyline).

• Reinforce with campus mission-style architecture.

• Design to LEED certification level of Silver.

• Design to accommodate trans-disciplinary research thru flexible/adaptable lab configurations.

• Plan to allow for future expansion of the Sciences with a possible connection to the existing Buildings.