The New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health is a signature initiative by Rutgers University to provide research and education related to society’s pressing challenges in cardio-inflammatory disease, cancer and obesity. Located on the Cook Campus, a new 80,000 SF interdisciplinary research building will be the centerpiece of the Institute. The iconic building is transparent in nature to invite faculty, students and the community to engage in activities within focused on nutrition and health. A large solar “parasol” becomes the organizing feature of the design while offering its functionality to the glass curtainwall. The sloping site also takes part in the Institute’s mission incorporating an amphitheater for events and providing a place to plant crops that will be used in the Institute’s cafe.
The synthesis between program and mission results in unique building features such as a student health clinic, a human performance lab, a nutrition research clinic, a healthy eating courtyard, and a preschool dedicated to educating parents and children on diet and nutrition. The remaining spaces house wet and dry labs, faculty and administrative offices, and outreach meeting spaces.