photo | Wilson Architect
BSLA / HONOR AWARD
College and University Design
Towers | Golde
UMass - Amherst : Life Science Laboratories Amherst , Massachusetts
The overreaching goal of the Life Science Laboratory project was to make the scientific ( building ) and ecological ( site ) processes visible to the large community — palpably cutting-edge , but rooted in the local vernacular of materials and historic planting typologies . Conceptually the site design creates a bridge between the preserved native woodland landscape above the project site and the cultural landscape of the campus core below . The dynamic flow of hydrologic processes , both real and implied , provides the thematic connections between the various parts of the project and across its 30 ’ of elevation change , but also draws attention to the realized goal of no net increase in run-off for up to the 100 year storm , despite the size of the building and the multiplicity of circulation connections . Plazas and intimate spaces with seating line many of the secondary paths and are provided a level of privacy through lush plantings and elevation shifts .
116 BSLA