The development of the UNC Chapel Hill master plan focused on redefining the biology quad defined by the existing buildings which housed the majority of the programs that would eventually inhabit the proposed Genomic Science building on the new site.   SOM chose to create a central green space (Central Park) at the intersection of the proposed development with the surrounding campus, which included Kenan Stadium, the Stone Center, Coker Hall and the Fordham Building.  Utilizing the existing surface parking area which had currently occupied the site, the design team successfully created a new campus open space to invite students to spend time around the new buildings and absorb the connections between the architecture and the green spaces adjacent to them.  The proposed project was identified as the Bell Tower Development and incorporated several phases of development over time.  These phases included:  Advanced Site Utility Package for the Genome Sciences Building (ASU)  Advanced Site Utility Package for the Bell Tower Parking Structure (PC1) North Chiller Plant Renovation (PC2) Bell Tower Parking Structure (PC3) Genome Sciences Building and Central Park (GS)  Construction on the Advanced Site Utility Package and the North Chiller Plant began in November 2007.

Genomic Sciences Buiding

With construction on the advanced site utility package for the building having begun, the focus of the design team became the Genome Science Building (GSB).  The program for the building had developed over a three year process with the University, incorporating the review and comments of several key user groups into the final proposal for the building.  The building itself was defined as approximately 280,000 square feet of total area which included all of the following program spaces for the University: 

(5) General use classrooms (30-seat) 

(3) General use auditoriums (80, 260 and 420-seat) 

(1) Crystallography Core Laboratory

(1) Robotics Core Laboratory Freezer Farms / Growth Chambers  General Use Cafe 

(9) Large format Biology Laboratories, including Synthetic Chemistry

(4) Large format Bioinformatics Research Areas Campus Research Greenhouse (Rooftop)  Integrated Loading Dock / Campus Zone Maintenance Area  

Construction Documents for the GSB were developed over 2008 and construction on the building began in January 2009.

Project Sustainability

The University’s holistic goal for a sustainable campus was on that also has come to be a building standard on new projects.  With the said, the Bell Tower Development was not exception to the rule.  The overall project integrated many sustainable design features during the course of design and construction.  From the create reuse of the existing facilities during the renovation of the North Chiller Plant to the large storm water reclamation system with an integral underground cistern (pictured), the Bell Tower Development strived to provide a new example of sustainable practice on campus.  The Genome Science Building asserted an early goal of LEED Platinum for new construction and would eventually be in route to a final certification of LEED Silver with many innovative design features, some of which are listed below:  Integral green roof system adjacent to the rooftop greenhouse Enhanced facilities for alternative commuting Heat Recovery System High-performance glazing systems Integral Brise Soleil shading/light shelf devices Reclaimed water usage Reduced energy consumption Education elements identifying the LEED characteristics of the building

Architectural Concrete

The research and development of the use of architectural concrete on this project was a team effort, led by SOM and Reginald Hough (FAIA), who brought more than 30 years of industry practice to the project.  The goal was to create an aesthetically acceptable solution for the structural concrete of the building which would utilize the concrete material in as many ways as possible.  The environmental impacts that are a result of the use of cast-in-place concrete almost require that this goal be a standard in the building industry.  Over the course of year, the design team developed a structural concrete mix utilzing a local river stone aggregate along with multiple variations of sand and grey cement from the area.  This complex development of an aesthetic finish through several architectural concrete mock-ups led to the designer’s ability to utilize the architectural concrete in several unique ways on the project:

The exterior finish of the architectural concrete provided a modern facade for the builidng that blended with the warm tones of the adjacent campus architecture.

With the use of a plastic-lined formwork, the final finish of the architectural concrete provided a glossy sheen for both interior and exterior exposed soffits, highlighting the materiality of the building.

The process of grinding the architectural concrete floor slabs created a “terrazo-like” finish which provided both a highly durable and architecturally attractive floor finish.

Research Greenhouse Development

During the course of construction of the new Greenhouse, SOM designed and built an Interim Greenhouse to allow the University to transition into their final home in the rooftop of the GSB.  This process allowed the design team, which included the Canadian consulting firm of Agritechnove,  to develop multiple strategies for the rooftop greenhouse.  The final rooftop greenhouse of the GSB would eventually included (10) separate growth compartments that utilize a low-profile perimeter air diffuser cabinet along the exterior wall of the greenhouse along with clear acrylic ductwork to maximize natural light exposure. 

With a fully functioning headhouse and lobby entrance gallery, the rooftop greenhouse of the GSB became one of the unique design features of the building.  The development of the structural expression of the greenhouse eventually led to an inverted saw-tooth profile, creating a minimal presence on the roof of the building that was also stylized and in line with the facade of the building enclosure.  Once complete, the rooftop greenhouse will both highlight the presence of the Biology department’s new home and will compliment the building’s architectural aesthetic. 

High Performance Glazing

SOM’s tested experience with high-performance glazing systems is most definitely expressed on the face of the GSB.  The design team utilized multiple glazing systems to develop a strategy which defined the different aspects of the building as the complexity of the exterior intersected with the interior.  The design team was also conscious of the strict energy requirements for the building’s LEED status, and therefore utilized several unique frit patterns to express color and transparency on the exterior face of the building.   The complex geometry of the greenhouse structural steel also led to a unique opportunity to express the simple lines of the rooftop.    In the final design of the building, the glazing systems provide users with dynamic views of the exterior, permanent interior viewports into adjacent work which encourages interdisciplinary communication and a new definition of modern architectural for the UNC campus.

Brise Soleil

SOM and CarpenterNorris worked together to develop an architectural strategy to both diffuse light along the exterior wall of the building and allow for the same natural light to penetrate deep in to the concrete structure of the building’s interior.  With the use of an integral light shelf and reinforced fiberglass “fins”, the North, East and West elevations of the building were transformed into an architectural highlight.  Both aesthetic and functional, the fins deflect the early day direct sunlight in the laboratory while the light shelf captures the mid-day sunlight and transports it deep into the laboratory to provide natural light along the work surfaces of the lab benches.  Although there is no clear recognition of this design strategy within the LEED guidelines, this feature of the GSB undoubtedly provides its occupants with valuable natural light, retains the visual connection between the interior/exterior and provides a unique aesthetic to the surrounding landscape.