Previously covered on Archinect, the Plant Sciences Building at Washington State University has officially opened. Designed and constructed by design-build team of Skanska and LMN Architects, the facility will be the new center for interdisciplinary research that will integrate faculty and students in plant biochemistry, pathology, horticulture, and crop and soil sciences into a single space.

"This isn't just a building—it's a braintrust for the future of Washington agriculture," said Vicky Scharlau, Executive Director of the Washington Winegrowers Association in a statement. "By understanding basic, fundamental plant processes, people here today are creating the foundation for the agriculture of tomorrow."

The building is the fourth to be completed within the master plan for the Research and Education Complex (REC) at WSU, which was originally developed by LMN Architects back in 2005. 

"The new Plant Sciences Building marks a significant milestone in Washington State’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and ecological stewardship," said LMN Partner Stephen Van Dyck, AIA in a statement. "As a central element of the Research and Education Complex, the new building provides state-of-the-art research facilities that are interconnected to the culture of research on the Washington State University campus. As a central node of the interdisciplinary complex, the building is designed to nurture collaborative innovation in this critical sector."

A defining feature of the design is the two-level cantilever that frames the main entrance. Moreover, the new facility was designed for flexibility with infrastructure that can accommodate a variety of research needs beyond the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

Within the building, modular laboratories can be rearranged to respond to the changing needs of research throughout the complex. At the exterior, the building uses a high-performance precast concrete panel system clad in red-brick veneer, taking inspiration from the existing brick structures on campus.

"We have approached the design and delivery process for this building as an effort in applied research," said Jennifer Milliron, Principal at LMN Architects in a statement. "Our Progressive Design-Build team partnered with WSU early in the process and prioritized innovative design and construction methods. Our partnership with Skanska allowed our team to explore integrated design and construction opportunities that prioritized high-performance systems, opening opportunities for architectural expression while simultaneously maximizing construction efficiencies."