The Institute for Social Research (ISR) is the world’s largest academic social science survey and research organization.

Lord Aeck Sargent assisted the University with its application for federal National Institutes of Health funding for an ISR expansion. The grant was awarded in 2010. The ISR desired to stay in its current facility, a six-story building designed by Alden Dow. The tight urban site required an infill addition on the northwest corner of the site. Drawing on the original design, the expansion employs a palette of red brick, white stucco and glass. The façade of the expansion adopts the cantilever bays of the original tower, but at a scale that responds to the surrounding residential neighborhood.

The addition adds three above-grade levels that house two floors of office space with collaboration spaces on each floor. The first floor has an atrium gathering space, a coffee shop and a large meeting space for 220 people that can be subdivided into smaller group spaces.  A below-grade level houses a large data enclave for secure storage and access to high security data.

The ISR Addition was designed to consume 30 percent less energy than ASHRAE Standard 90.1 and is certified LEED® Gold.