Innovative Buildings Honored for Design Excellence

TheTexas Society of Architects (TSA) has selected two new buildings of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for 2006 TSA Design Awards. The prestigious awards went to the School of Nursing and Student Community Center and the Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building, both designed by BNIM Architects.

The Sarofim Research Building, home of the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases (IMM), houses core research laboratories, administrative offices, a 200-seat auditorium and a large atrium for public events. The $85 million facility, located at 1825 Pressler Street, comprises two wings – one for technology and administrative offices, and another for core research labs – with at least 65 percent of the usable space devoted to actual research, including a state-of-the-art vivarium.

The School of Nursing and Student Community Center, designed in partnership with San Antonio-based Lake/Flato Architects, is the largest “green” academic building in the Southwest. Its design focuses on energy efficiency, increased air quality, improved natural lighting, reduction of polluting emissions, and increased user productivity. The eight-story, $57 million facility, located at 6901 Bertner Avenue, has received a record eight American Institute of Architects awards and is expected to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold rating this year.

“We are so thrilled the TSA has recognized these two buildings for their design excellence,” said Steve McDowell, BNIM design principal. “The design team and all those involved in the creation of these buildings, including dedicated client groups, contractors, builders and many other key individuals, worked hard to create an environment of collaboration and sustainability.

” Winning projects from the 2006 competition are featured in the September/October edition of Texas Architect magazine. Awards will be presented during the Nov. 2-4 TSA convention in Dallas.