The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) premier Science & Engineering Complex will become a new beacon on UAB’s campus and yet another world-class facility that educates the next leading scientists and researchers.
Since its founding in 1968, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has evolved into an internationally recognized research institution. The East and South Science Halls are the first phase of a new science and engineering complex that will be UAB’s main teaching and research facility for biology, chemistry, physics and engineering. Currently, interaction between these departments is limited since they are distributed throughout the campus. The primary objective for this new complex is to bring all departments into one place that encourages impromptu gatherings, interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
In looking towards the future, the complex will be designed and constructed in multiple phases to create an interior courtyard. In keeping with the values of the University, the new complex re-imagines the campus concourse which connects the campus quad to the library and other academic buildings and also reinvigorates the adjacent park fronting the highly traversed University Boulevard. Connectivity between important campus nodes drove the linear design of the two new concourses to the north and south of the building.
The building is broken into two narrow wings to promote daylighting and views.
The physics research labs are located underground on isolated slabs to minimize vibrations that could impact measurements.
The physics teaching labs double as the storm shelter. In phase 2, an extensive green roof is being constructed over the shelter to take advantage of the robust structure already in place.
GMC is one of the most comprehensive multi-disciplined architecture and engineering firms in the Southeast.
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