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IMM’s New Home Visible Result
of New Frontiers Campaign
Construction of Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building garners architectural award
The vision of University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston President James T. Willerson, M.D., to attract the brightest stars in molecular medicine with a world-class home at the health science center is becoming a reality - tile by tile.
Now rising on Pressler Street, the Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building already has won an award. The construction is seen here in late April. Photo by Jennifer Canup
With the concrete structure, beams and glass windows in place, the Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building, the new home of the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases (IMM) is taking shape and getting noticed by passersby who walk or drive down Pressler Street between Main and Fannin streets. Recently, the building garnered more attention - this time from the architecture community.
Kansas City-based firm Berkebile Nelson Immenschuh McDowell Architects (BNIM) received the "On the Boards" award, a merit award for projects still under construction, for its design of the seven-story building, which is being built adjacent to the University Center Tower. The award was presented by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Houston chapter.
The building was designed in collaboration with Pennsylvania firm Burt Hill Kosar Rittelmann Associates. Vaughn Construction of Houston is the general contractor for the project. Construction is slated for completion by fall 2005.
The new building will provide much-needed research space and will house core research laboratories, administrative offices, a 200-seat auditorium and a large atrium for public events. The building also will feature a faculty conference suite and a room especially designed for collaborative discussion and discovery of scientific ideas.
Willerson conceived the idea for developing the IMM in the 1980s before joining the UT Medical School at Houston to chair its Department of Internal Medicine. He feels fortunate to see his vision come to life.
"I have always dreamed of expanding our research to help conquer the diseases of our time, in our time. As we go forward, we can envision ourselves as a top-tier research university known for its collaborative and innovative spirit," Willerson said. "None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our supporters who share our commitment to saving countless lives through molecular and genetic discoveries."
The New Frontiers Campaign, chaired by Beth Robertson and co-chaired by Ben Love, raises funds to build and equip the IMM's new home and to recruit some of the world's finest scientists. With the campaign goal of $200 million in view, $190 million has been raised already.
The School of Nursing and Student Community Center, occupied in August 2004, recently added another architectural award to its collection. Photo courtesy of BNIM Architects
"The Houston community has poured its support into this campaign for the IMM, for which we are forever grateful," said Robertson. "It is so rewarding to see this building emerge before our very eyes and to see Dr. Willerson's dream of research collaboration and medical breakthroughs come true."
A majority of the useable space will be dedicated to research aimed at preventing and curing some of the most devastating human diseases and their mechanisms, including cardiovascular disease, stem cell research, metabolic diseases and neurosciences.
School of Nursing Award
BNIM also won the Honor Award in the sustainability and architecture categories for the recently built UT School of Nursing and Student Community Center. Last year, that building received five AIA awards.
Although the IMM building is not "green" like the School of Nursing building, BNIM architects said they focused their design on "creating a dynamic, interactive environment conducive to research and learning on multiple levels. From the relationship with the outdoors, to the design of the architecture of the building, to the interior spaces, our approach strives to consider form and function holistically, promoting the well being of the users as well as their productivity."
According to Vaughn Construction project manager Lenny Enderle, the construction pace is heating up and crews are working around the clock to finish the project. Once the clay tile is placed on the building's facade, the building will no longer be subject to weather delays.
By Jacqueline Preston, Development