Client: Columbia University

Team: with Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Scope: 460,000 S.F. + LEED Gold Certification

Luminous, light, and transparent, the Jerome L. Greene Science Center embodies the idea of the Crystal Palace, dedicated to natural light and scientific research.

Two intersecting axes articulate the building’s 40,000 sq. ft. floorplate into four quadrants. These spaces encourage collaboration among scientists by interspersing circulation, connecting stairs, double-height spaces, and a variety of scales of meeting rooms and spaces for interaction.

Designed with science, for science, the building’s envelope subtly and innovatively addresses the building’s relationship to its surrounding environmental context in a sustainable way. The actively ventilated double-skin facade of low-iron glass and motorized shades mitigate the acoustic concerns from the adjacent subway, and further contribute to occupant comfort by creating a thermal buffer at the exterior of the building.

Location: New York, NY

Photo: Nic Lehoux

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