Science building additions underway
With the first of three building phases complete, Physical Plant is ready to start additions to CLS
Kristina Meyer
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: News
The second of three phases involved in the renovations of Trinity's science buildings will begin during the summer of 2010, according to John Green, director of Physical Plant.
This phase will involve additions to the west end of the Cowles Life Science building - that is, the side of the building facing the perimeter of the University. Ideally, construction will begin June 1, 2010, and will be completed by the end of 2011.
The third phase is slated to begin in 2012.
"Phase three will be the total gut and renovation of Cowles, but funding has not been approved for that yet," Greene said. "We would like to get started in 2012. We would have to start by getting everyone out of Cowles; some of the people would go in the newly constructed addition, others would probably be squeezed into Moody. That would take another 18 months at least."
Carter Reich, project director for Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering, P.C., has been working closely with faculty and the administration to design the addition to Cowles. One of the highlights of the addition, according to Reich, will be the unification of various science departments.
"Unified science is the notion that, instead of a chemistry building and a biology building in one facility, you have a combination of departments," Reich said. "This addition in the space between Cowles and Moody will tie Cowles, Moody and Marrs McLean together."
Reich also emphasized that the building will create an opportunity to showcase the sciences at Trinity.
"Science is currently taught behind brick walls; now science will be visible," Reich said. "The new addition will have a glass wall facing east, and there will be large window openings into the science labs. You will be able to see where science is being taught. It won't have to hide behind those brick walls anymore."
The building and its surrounding landscape will also reflect Trinity's environment and history, given an interesting choice of building supply - limestone. Trinity's situation on the former site of a limestone quarry makes this selection of material a creative homage to Trinity's, and San Antonio's, past.
This phase will involve additions to the west end of the Cowles Life Science building - that is, the side of the building facing the perimeter of the University. Ideally, construction will begin June 1, 2010, and will be completed by the end of 2011.
The third phase is slated to begin in 2012.
"Phase three will be the total gut and renovation of Cowles, but funding has not been approved for that yet," Greene said. "We would like to get started in 2012. We would have to start by getting everyone out of Cowles; some of the people would go in the newly constructed addition, others would probably be squeezed into Moody. That would take another 18 months at least."
Carter Reich, project director for Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering, P.C., has been working closely with faculty and the administration to design the addition to Cowles. One of the highlights of the addition, according to Reich, will be the unification of various science departments.
"Unified science is the notion that, instead of a chemistry building and a biology building in one facility, you have a combination of departments," Reich said. "This addition in the space between Cowles and Moody will tie Cowles, Moody and Marrs McLean together."
Reich also emphasized that the building will create an opportunity to showcase the sciences at Trinity.
"Science is currently taught behind brick walls; now science will be visible," Reich said. "The new addition will have a glass wall facing east, and there will be large window openings into the science labs. You will be able to see where science is being taught. It won't have to hide behind those brick walls anymore."
The building and its surrounding landscape will also reflect Trinity's environment and history, given an interesting choice of building supply - limestone. Trinity's situation on the former site of a limestone quarry makes this selection of material a creative homage to Trinity's, and San Antonio's, past.
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