University of Washington Opens Nanoengineering and Sciences Building

The University of Washington opened the $87.8 million Nanoengineering & Sciences Building in December of 2017 in Seattle. Designed by ZGF, the 90,300-gsf interdisciplinary facility provides advanced research and teaching spaces for the departments of bioengineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and materials sciences. Strategically sited and constructed to minimize vibration, the building is located adjacent to the existing Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute to foster collaboration. Supporting research in scalable nanomanufacturing, integrated photonics, and augmented humanity, the facility offers flexible multipurpose laboratories, advanced instrumentation suites, incubator-style offices, a teaching lab, an active learning classroom, and a 3,000-sf interaction commons. The project team included Hoffman Construction Company, Affiliated Engineers, and laboratory programming and design consultant Research Facilities Design (RFD). LEED sustainable design certification will be sought for the facility, which features a sophisticated building façade, radiant flooring, chilled beams, chilled sails, and a green roof.