Rafael Viñoly Architects

Carl Icahn Laboratory, Lewis-Sigler Institute For Integrative Genomics

Carl Icahn Laboratory, Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics

Rafael Vinoly Architects

Carl Icahn Laboratory, Lewis-Sigler Institute For Integrative Genomics

PHOTO
Jeffrey Totaro (2)

BUDGET
$10M - 50M

AREA
100,000 sqft - 300,000 sqft

YEAR
2004

LOCATION
Princeton, NJ, United States

TYPE
Educational › Other University, Industrial › Laboratory Research Facility

The mission of the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics is to conduct pioneering research into fundamental questions of biology by integrating perspectives and analytical tools of molecular biology, chemistry, physics and computer analysis.

To help achieve these goals, the Carl Icahn Laboratory, among the first fully integrated labs in America, was designed to unite researchers from a variety of disciplines and encourage a free exchange of thoughts and findings.

Carl Icahn Laboratory, Lewis-Sigler Institute For Integrative Genomics
Carl Icahn Laboratory, Lewis-Sigler Institute For Integrative Genomics

The facility accomplishes this with a large central atrium at the heart of the building, a social place where researchers and students can meet in formal and informal conference areas, sparking the impromptu discussions that lead to collaboration and new research paths.

The atrium looks onto a large, ellipse-shaped campus quad through a curved, two-story glass curtain wall that introduces natural light deep into the center of the building.

In order to minimize thermal loading on the mechanical systems, a series of thirty-one 40-foot-tall, computer-controlled aluminum louvers track the movement of the sun to provide optimal shading to the south-facing curtain wall at all times, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow in the atrium throughout the day.

The “loft-like” laboratories are arranged along the north and eastern elevations of the building.

Carl Icahn Laboratory, Lewis-Sigler Institute For Integrative Genomics
Carl Icahn Laboratory, Lewis-Sigler Institute For Integrative Genomics
© Jeffrey Totaro

With open floor plans, modular partitions, 12-foot-high ceilings, interstitial mechanical stories, and demountable casework and lab benches,

the laboratories are designed for maximum flexibility over time as research needs change to keep up with the pace of genomic science.

Carl Icahn Laboratory, Lewis-Sigler Institute For Integrative Genomics
© Jeffrey Totaro
Carl Icahn Laboratory, Lewis-Sigler Institute For Integrative Genomics

Clerestory windows introduce abundant daylight into the laboratories and faculty offices, creating a welcoming research environment.

With a significant outdoor pedestrian route passing between the louvers and curtain wall, and with cladding designed to transition between the architecture of the university’s science facilities and its more traditional stone structures, the new building is seamlessly integrated into the campus, creating a prominent home to promote the institute and inspire scientific inquiry.

Carl Icahn Laboratory, Lewis-Sigler Institute For Integrative Genomics

Rafael Viñoly Architects
T +1 212 9245060
Rafael Viñoly Architects
375 Pearl St 31st floor, New York, NY 10038, United States