The administration's goal was to build a science building for the 21^st century; a facility with state-of-the-art teaching technology. The building is wired for the latest, as well as future, teaching technologies with each lab, conference room, classroom, and most offices having access to both the building LAN and the university networks including voice, video, and data.

Each lab contains four flat screen monitors with the capability to display 35-mm slides, overhead transparencies, data, local video programs (including microscopic images), and external video programs. External video programs can be from central headend, cable TV satellite programs, or remote programs (compressed video).

Energy management systems include HVAC and lighting controlled by EMS (Energy Management System), a direct digital control system. The laboratories have LCS (Laboratory Control System) to maintain constant face velocity for each fume hood and varies exhaust airflow based on fume hood sash position. By reducing the exhaust airflow rate based on fume hood sash opening and night and weekend setback, energy use is decreased by reducing the amount of make-up air that is required.

Key planning concepts to save money and maximize usable floor area include a double-loaded, loop corridor and eliminating the need for a service corridor by manifolding the exhaust ducts into vertical chases. This arrangement also provides most labs with daylight.

Although the building is planned for maximum efficiency and functionality, the administration wanted the building to have its own identity. This was accomplished with a "light tower" stairwell, which serves as an orientation icon on the campus, and a curved parapet running the length of the building, which conceals the equipment on the roof and gives the building its unique profile.