NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio consists primarily of a constellation of World War II-era brick buildings that lacked a central focus. The new Research Support Building (RSB), designed by TEN Arquitectos, will rectify this and create a nexus for the campus.
The two-story, 60,000-sf facility will rise on the main artery of Lewis Field. The design consists of rectilinear massings (airy volumes of glass and corrugated metal) meant to optimize program adjacencies and creative interactions, and allow for the creation of indoor and outdoor public green spaces.
RSB’s north-south elevated and cantilevered axis provides an extended covered plaza that leads to the entrance and will house a communal dining area, collaborative work space, and a gallery. RSB will include a display of rotating items from NASA’s archives to showcase the many achievements of the Glenn Research Center. Exposed trusses reduce the need for support and create 270-degree views that flood the interior with light.
See Also: This space hotel design from MIT won NASA’s graduate design competition
The main building will comprise dedicated and fluid work areas, open and private offices, meeting rooms, conference rooms, and training rooms. Enclosed double height and landscaped internal courtyards will allow natural light to reach deep into the surrounding work spaces. Also included is an 86,000-sf landscaped lawn known as Wright Commons.
Research Support Building is currently under construction with a 2020 completion target.
Related Stories
Office Buildings | Dec 1, 2017
Telecommunications company’s remodeled headquarters makes use of its unique H shape
lauckgroup designed the new headquarters space.
Office Buildings | Nov 6, 2017
Battle for 50K: Amazon HQ2 pushes cities to rethink urban development
In using an open RFP process with a tight timeline, Amazon created a frenzied, almost hackathon-like atmosphere that it hoped would spark next-level creativity when it comes to urban redevelopment.
Adaptive Reuse | Oct 23, 2017
A tableware storage space is reset to accommodate an investment firm’s headquarters in Raleigh, N.C.
This adaptive reuse establishes more direct visual and physical connections to a growing city.
Office Buildings | Oct 20, 2017
Hybridization of the co-working experience
Exploring potential innovations for the co-working industry.
Giants 400 | Oct 19, 2017
Race for talent drives office designs
Is the shift toward attracting younger workers too much or not enough?
Giants 400 | Oct 18, 2017
Top 105 office construction firms
Turner Construction Co., Structure Tone, and Holder Construction top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest office sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 17, 2017
Top 60 office engineering firms
AECOM, WSP, and Thornton Tomasetti top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest office sector engineering and EA firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 17, 2017
Top 110 office architecture firms
Gensler, Jacobs, and HOK top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest office sector architecture and AE firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Sep 28, 2017
Plans for Chicago’s historic Post Office building revealed by 601W Companies and Gensler
The redevelopment project is currently the largest in the nation.
Office Buildings | Sep 27, 2017
Gensler designs New Jersey law firm’s new headquarters space
The HQ occupies 75,000 sf in a 400,000-sf suburban office building.