The University of Cincinnati - known for its use of signature architects - selected STUDIOS (along with Executive Architect Harley Ellis Devereaux) to design the renovation and expansion of its health sciences complex. The project creates a one building campus for the Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy and Nursing, as well as a Student Commons for use by the general university population.
STUDIOS designed a 246,000 square-foot, multi-story addition, providing the interaction space lacking from the original 900,000 square-foot 1970s concrete high-rise structure. The addition is connected to the existing building through a full height atrium, enveloping the exterior open space to create a large, urban room that encourages socialization and collegiality.
The volumes of the new building are fractured in order to create more neighborhood-like research spaces and to allow for better visual penetration into the structure. The program for the entire complex includes classrooms, offices, research and teaching labs, student services, an auditorium, bookstore, library, dining facilities, fitness center, recreational lounge, and support spaces.
The CARE/Crawley Building raises the standards for sustainable design in a laboratory environment; the new building is LEED Gold certified.