The research compound consists of laboratories, administrative offices, nine greenhouses, an algae house, and extensive experimental gardens. The original administration and research buildings were constructed in 1929 with subsequent expansions in 1974, 1993, and 1999. This latest expansion involved the construction of one building and the renovation of two existing buildings. The project added approximately 5,500 sf of research space.

Building 100, originally constructed in 1974, was gutted to the structural shell and reinforced to meet current seismic codes. New additions were integrated on the south and west sides of the building. Because Building 100 is a single-story building with multiple exits directly to grade, there was no need for fire-rated corridors, stairs, or mechanical shafts. This resulted in an extremely compact and efficient floor plan. The new laboratories, support spaces, and researcher offices were arranged in an open plan that takes full advantage of the garden setting by placing large, operable windows at the ends of the aisles between the lab benches.