[woolie]

I don't think I've seen this on the forum yet. Not very tall, but another example of how the TMC just keeps adding, and adding, and adding, and adding. TMC infill will be almost completely done in another few years, with zero surface parking lots.

Groundbreaking was on Sept 15. They're doing the demolition of the courtyard right now, and should start digging the basement/foundation soon. Since my window overlooks the construction site, I might provide updates as it goes along

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Research Tower Facts:

8 stories
5 lab floors
170,000 sq. ft.
60 new faculty

Approved: May 18, 2005
Ground Breaking: Sept. 15, 2005
Occupancy: June 2007

On May 18, 2005, the Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees approved the design of a new research building to be constructed on the south side of the main campus between the Jewish Building and Garage 6.
The new building is named the Margaret M. Alkek Building for Biomedical Research in honor of generous support recently received from the Alkek Foundation in support of the Research Enterprise.
The eight story building will contain five floors of flexible laboratory and office space designed to foster collaboration and interdisciplinary research.

Exterior Design Includes features of both the Alkek and Cullen Buildings



Glass and metal exterior that will resemble the curved side of the Alkek Building, tying together the two sides of the Campus
Strong vertical elements that reflect the art deco style of the Cullen Building
Glass vertical triangular elements and horizontal sun shades that lower sun glare
High glass (13 feet) at window wall in lab to permit light penetration into interior spaces
Lab/Office Design



The Lab Floors will be at the top of building and will have a good view of the Medical Center
Offices located on Jewish side
Connecting stairwell on lab floors open to floor and glass enclosed

Courtyard:



Models:

This post has been edited by Ian Rees: Sunday, October 16, 2005 at 11:37 PM

[houstonsemipro]

Wow! It's one thing Houston have strong and that's the TMC.

[Talbot]

Excellent news, I am amazed at how the TMC has been growing recently.

[texas911]

Boring! In a few years, it will be just another drab, background building.

[kjb434]

Not every building can be an architectural feet and stand out.

Some are based purely on the need for space and funtionality.

[woolie]

texas911, on Tuesday, October 18th, 2005 @ 9:00am, said:

Boring! In a few years, it will be just another drab, background building.

Heh, compared to the other BCM buildings, it's quite spectacular!! Really, their first attempt at any kind of architectural distinction since the original Cullen building was built in the 40's.

BCM has miles of hallways on an average of 9 floors per building. Every single linear foot of it is absolutely identical linoleum flooring and offwhite walls.

[arche_757]

who is the architect?

Kirksey - looks like one of theres, FKP?....

*Buildings can be both functional and architecturaly pleasing, in fact the best architecture insures that the building looks good and is perfect for its primary purpose.

[editor]

Alkek Building added to the still growing list of Houston projects.