Couch Biomedical Research Building
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
A multi-story genetics research building designed to attract and retain talent
Designed to attract and retain high-caliber genetics and genomics talent, this multi-story research building in the heart of campus will provide a framework for both collaborative and individual research. Anticipating trends in research lab design, flexible and adaptable spaces can evolve to meet future needs—all within a highly efficient building envelope and supporting systems infrastructure.
While providing much-needed research space, the Couch Biomedical Research Building sets the stage for future development of additional buildings on the block, while creating an important, new outdoor space serving the larger neighborhood.
- Initial tasks included programming and master planning of the entire block, including not only the new building but also a Center for Biological Imaging and other future research buildings and open spaces, elements of a multi-year development plan.
- By linking the project to adjacent buildings via tunnels, service access to all buildings will be improved, while facilitating secure researcher and research animal movement.
- The building’s facades respond to their solar orientation, with deep-set windows on the south and more extensive glazing on the north. A distinctive composition of angled projections highlights the shared social spaces and stairways on the north, east and west elevations.
- Anticipating future development, provisions have been made for an upper-level bridge connecting it to the next building on the block, enhancing collaboration between researcher populations.
