Meinel Optical Sciences Building, Tucson

Meinel Optical Sciences Building Tucson, Arizona Optical Research Labs, Architecture, Faculty

Meinel Optical Sciences Building

Tucson Building, Arizona design by richärd+bauer architects, USA

Apr 6, 2014 + May 25, 2011

Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Date built: 2006

Design: richärd+bauer

Meinel Optical Sciences Building in Tucson

Meinel Optical Sciences Building
photo : Bill Timmerman

Meinel Optical Sciences Building Design

This project houses state-of-the-art optical research labs, faculty offices, auditoria, conferencing and interaction spaces for this preeminent university research institution whose mission is “The science and application of light”. Occupying a prominent site on the University mall, it is the first of a series of clusters that will replace the existing buildings over time.

The building is an abstraction of a “Camera Obscura” or “Dark Room”. Within the simple volume, daylight is introduced by a series of apertures in the skin, interacting and modulating the spaces within. A series of vertical light shafts, each features a specific optical surface, penetrate the building and terminate in a series of two story interaction spaces.

Meinel Optical Sciences Building
photo : Bill Timmerman

Offices and interaction spaces are gathered around these two story spaces, with views to the Santa Catalina Mountains to the North. Due to the need for absolute darkness, the optics laboratories are clustered along the Southern, “blind” elevation. The upper level contains a conferencing center and glass enclosed rooftop terrace, and the lower level lobby area houses exhibits and auditoriums.

Meinel Optical Sciences Building Tucson
photo : Bill Timmerman

The cast in place concrete building is sheathed in a reddened copper alloy treated recalling the color of the campus brick. The skin is a breathable “rain screen” protects the inner shell from the intense desert sun and eliminates surface sealant joints.

Arizona design by richärd+bauer architects
photo : Bill Timmerman

As an interpretation of a Fresnel lens, the northern glass wall is folded as a response to the existing buildings textural façade creating apparent mass and transparency. Purposeful folds in the copper skin permit the passage of rainwater piping and lab exhaust, rendering a sculptural surface in the monolithic faces of the building.

Meinel Optical Sciences Building Tucson design by richärd+bauer architects Tucson architecture design by richärd+bauer architects Meinel Optical Sciences Building University of Arizona Meinel Optical Sciences Building University of Arizona
images : Bill Timmerman

Meinel Optical Sciences Building – Building Information

Project name: Meinel Optical Sciences Building
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Size: 47,000 gsf – new building, 6,000 gsf – renovation
Cost: 14M
Completion Date: May 2006
Owner: University of Arizona
Contractor: Lloyd Construction Company, Inc.
Photographer Credit: Bill Timmerman, Timmerman Photography, Inc.

Meinel Optical Sciences Building Design Team

architectural designer: James Richärd, AIA
project manager + interior design: Kelly Bauer, FIIDA
project architect + CA: Stephen Kennedy, AIA, NCARB
project architect: Erik Koss, RA
staff architect + CA: Andrew Timberg, RA, LEED AP
lab consultant: Earl Walls, Inc.
engineering: ARUP, Los Angeles Office
civil engineering: KPFF Consulting Engineers
landscape architect: Sage Landscape Architecture and Environmental

Architecture Awards

2006 AIA Arizona Honor
2006 AIA Western Mountain Region Honor
2006 IIDA SW Chapter PRIDE Award Best of Show
2006 IIDA SW Chapter PRIDE Award Design Execellence in the Educational + Institutional Category
2007 AIA National Honor Award for Excellence

Meinel Optical Sciences Building Meinel Optical Sciences Building University of Arizona Meinel Optical Sciences Building Tucson
images : Bill Timmerman

Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America

Arizona Buildings

Cesar Chavez Library, Phoenix
Design: Line and Space with Richard+Bauer
Cesar Chavez Library
image : Bill Timmerman
Cesar Chavez Library

Bradley Residence, Scottsdale
Design: Michael P. Johnson Design Studios
Bradley Residence
image : Bill Timmerman
Bradley Residence

Courtyard Residence, Phoenix
Design: blank studio architects
Phoenix Residence
image : blank studio, Inc.
Arizona Residence

Ellsworth Residence – desert residence
Design: Michael P. Johnson Design Studios
Ellsworth Residence
image : Bill Timmerman
Arizona house

Suncover Residence – house, Phoenix
Design: blank studio, architects
Suncover Residence
image : blank studio, Inc.
Phoenix Residence

Developments in Neighbouring States to Arizona:

California Buildings

Colorado Buildings

Phoenix Building : Maricopa Court Complex

Comments / photos for the Meinel Optical Sciences Building Arizona – Tucson Architecture design by richärd+bauer architects page welcome