HDR CUH2A to Design Energy Research Facility for Argonne
HDR CUH2A has been awarded the commission to design the new, world-class energy research facility for Argonne National Laboratory. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Energy Sciences Building (ESB) is expected to be a $95 million construction project for Argonne National Laboratory.
The ESB will be designed to accelerate the pace of discovery by bringing together interdisciplinary teams of researchers in a space that can accommodate evolving energy-related research. "The ESB will house the kind of research infrastructure that is necessary to conduct breakthrough science," says Argonne Director Eric Isaacs. "The ESB will enable highly interactive scientific collaborations by bringing together in one place energy-related scientific research that is presently spread throughout the Argonne campus."
Scientific research in the ESB will focus on themes central to Argonne’s mission. Research will focus on essential strategies for energy security by enhancing energy resources while mitigating the impact on the environment. Areas of research will include:
- Use-inspired synthesis
- Solar energy
- Catalysis
- Electrical energy storage
“It is an exciting and challenging time in the evolution of laboratory design. As designers, we see this project as a fantastic opportunity to incorporate meaningful sustainable strategies in the design of a building dedicated to energy research,” says Ahmad Soueid, AIA, LEED AP, senior vice president at HDR CUH2A.
“The development of a building for interdisciplinary research demands interaction among scientific staff from various backgrounds as well as all other stakeholders throughout the phases of project development,” adds Karen Hellman, Argonne’s project director. “The collaboration of researchers, managers, planners, designers, operations and maintenance staff as well as constructors culminates in comprehensive building solutions that are flexible, adaptable and innovative.”
Construction is scheduled to begin during fiscal year 2011.
