Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine | Fentress Architects

Designed by Fentress Architects, Sanford Consortium “collaboratory” brought together five multi-disciplinary institutions with the mission to advance understanding, knowledge, and discovery in stem cell research. Our charge: shape a facility to enhance interchange, inspire creativity, and make the cross-pollination of ideas impossible to avoid among the building’s users.

photography by © Jason A. Knowles

Inspired by La Jolla’s temperate climate, the site’s Pacific Ocean view, and its neighbor, the Salk Institute, offices for principal investigators were detached from the main building into pods connected by an exterior walkway. This unusual shift fundamentally altered the way researchers circulate and interact. We engaged the UCSD Cognitive Sciences Department for insights into mechanisms to encourage human interaction, which were then translated into the architecture.

Section Perspective

Diverse spots for impromptu encounters make idea exchange a natural occurrence. Transparent walls promote awareness of the natural environment and collaborative activities occurring within lab spaces. Break areas and public spaces invite outside researchers into the Consortium, furthering interdisciplinary awareness.

photography by © Jason A. Knowles

Project Info:
Architects: Fentress Architects
Location: La Jolla, California, USA
Associate Architect: Davis Davis Architects
Project Team: Curtis Fentress, Jeff Olson, Robin Ault, Al Roberts, Sharlene Bhyun, Jesse Dzierzanowski
Lanscape Architect: Civitas, Inc.
Contractor: Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
Photographs: Jason A. Knowles
Project Name: Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine