At 265,000 sq. ft. this four-story modern-style facility designed by Hopkins Architects of London in collaboration with Payette Associates of Boston is currently the largest single academic building on the Princeton University Campus. Constructed and fully operational, the Chemistry building accommodates up to 30 faculty, 30 departmental staff, 250 to 300 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research staff, and several hundred undergraduates. Laboratory and teaching spaces in the east wing and offices and conference rooms in the west wing are joined by a large skylit atrium featuring common spaces and pedestrian bridges at three locations on three levels. A tunnel connects the Chemistry Building with nearby Jadwin Hall and a new pedestrian walkway connects it to other science facilities across Washington Road. The building also houses a 250-seat auditorium.
Architects and planners optimized energy efficiency by incorporating state-of-the-art sustainability features throughout the structure including sunscreens to optimize ambient day-lighting of interior spaces linked with sensors that control dimmable electric lighting, solar panels mounted on the roof, landscaped “rain gardens” to provide biofiltration of stormwater, reduced site impervious surfaces, and a stormwater reclamation system for non-potable use. This project follows criteria for LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
AWARDS:
- 2012 Project of the Year, Professional Engineers Society of Mercer County
- 2012 Merit Award, Excellence in Architecture for a New Building, Society for College and University Planning American Institute of Architects Committee on Architecture for Education
- 2012 Laboratory of the Year High Honors Award, R&D Magazine
- 2011 Project of the Year, Professional Engineers Society of New Jersey
- 2011 Merit Award, American Institute of Architects New Jersey
- 2011 Honor Award, American Institute of Architects Tri-State Design Awards.
- 2011 Honor Award for Design Excellence, Boston Society of Architects.
