April 15, 2017
Reading Time: 2 minutesbiotrial / north american headquarters / newark, nj
A contract research organization based in France with offices in Paris, London and Montreal, strategically sought an architecture firm to design a North American Headquarters. Setting a precedent for future city development, Francis Cauffman was engaged for the first phase of the research organization’s master plan located in the University Heights Science Park of Newark, NJ. Although 70,000 SF is considered modest, smaller and relatively narrow floor plates were opted for. This resulted in a five-story building that conveyed significant impact in its architectural design.
transparentsolid / privatepublic / openclosed
The basic concept of the building is formed by two interlocking planes: one plane
made primarily of solid black brick with matching mortar and the other made of
a fritted curtain wall. Brick paneling on the east exterior surrounds the support
spaces, circulation areas and core of the building. The fritted curtain wall allows
sunlight into the lobby, office, and short/medium stay areas. Varying levels of
daylight create different patterns, resulting in an exterior that is not only visually
interesting, but also provides a layer of privacy. A ribbon of metal panels ties the
two planes together and represents the fluid nature of chemistry and science. This metal ribbon begins on the private side of the building by forming the canopy, moves through the building as the lobby ceiling, emerges on the public side as a frame for the vestibule and completes itself as the canopy for services.
By Stacey Ruhle Kliesch, AIA, AIA NJ Advocacy Consultant | Posted in AIA-NJ News, Uncategorized | Tagged: #AIANJAWARDS2016, #Biotrial, ArchWeek17, Francis Cauffman | Comments (0)