While the primary function of the facility is to allow people to learn and collaborate in a meaningful way, the University also wanted a space with enough allure to entice the brightest students and faculty to call UK home.
Mark Lawrence Kornbluh
Dean of the UK College of Arts & Sciences
In an effort to help raise interest in the subject, the space needed to utilize transparency to help “put science on display”.
While the primary function of the facility is to allow people to learn and collaborate in a meaningful way, the University also wanted a space with enough allure to entice the brightest students and faculty to call UK home.
To maximize the student and faculty experience, our goal was to utilize technology-enabled learning wherever possible and to provide enough flexibility in design to integrate tomorrow’s yet-imagined technologies into the building.
Sustainability is one of college students’ most important issues, therefore integrating sustainable design considerations, materials and equipment was critical to the success of the building.
The openness we created in the space throughout the interior and to and from the exterior serves to illuminate the building while simultaneously displaying the beauty of science for all to see.
The Jacobs Science Building has achieved LEED Silver (NC-2009) Certification, a testament to our efforts to integrate eco-friendly designs and energy efficiency when possible.
By Integrating state-of-the-art equipment, collaborative lab environments, technology enhanced active learning (TEAL) classrooms, and other features, students will be better equipped for STEM-related careers in tomorrow’s workplaces.
Rob Deal,
AIA, LEED AP, President, JRA Architects
