Plans Moving Ahead for Sciences Neighbourhood at Princeton University

As Princeton University continues to debate in what style to build- Collegiate Gothic or Modern- a new sciences district replete with modern buildings is fast emerging on its campus. Buildings will be designed by Frank Gehry, Michael Hopkins, Raphael Moneo and a pedestrian bridge designed by Christian Menn. Gehry’s titanium-clad Lewis Library will be the first structure to be completed. The 88,000 square foot building will house collections for the various science disciplines in addition to conference rooms, classrooms, a video studio and a café. To be completed in 2007, the project is expected to cost more than 50 million. Following the library, will be a new chemistry building designed by Michael Hopkins. The four-storey structure clad in glass and stone panels will include approximately 250,000 square feet. The current design calls for laboratory and teaching spaces on the east side of the building and offices on the west side. The two sides will be connected by a sky lit atrium with pedestrian connectors at three levels and a 250-seat auditorium on the ground floor. When completed in 2010, it will be Princeton’s most sustainable building built to date. Moneo has just been tapped to design the new neuroscience and psychology buildings. While the design of these buildings has yet to begin, the two buildings should contain about 200,000 gross square feet and consist of multiple stories. They will incorporate classrooms, labs, office, meeting rooms and some specialty spaces. Lastly, the Science Neighborhood, which spans two sides of a major street, will be connected by a new pedestrian bridge designed by Christian Menn. Hopkins will be responsible for the overall design of the Neighbourhood.