Four major campus construction projects shift into high gear this summer, transforming the southwest part of campus and boosting the University's teaching and research missions.
Much of the construction activity centers on the intersection of 15th Avenue N.E. and N.E. Pacific Street. On the northeast corner, the UW is building a $45 million physics/astronomy building. Designed by internationally renowned architect Cesar Pelli, it will have three sections: an auditoria wing, a teaching and research laboratory wing and an office tower. All three wings are connected underground, where many of the physics research labs are located. A grassy plaza will separate the auditoria wing from the tower and lab wings.
Inspired by the campus’s Collegiate Gothic architecture, Pelli designed a structure of cast stone and brick to fit the campus context. The building will be completed by fall 1994.
Another award-winning architect, Charles Moore, has designed the $27.5 million chemistry building. Sited south of Bagley Hall facing “Frosh Pond,” it should also be completed by fall 1994.
A four-story teaching and research laboratory facility, the new chemistry building features brick, slate and copper as exterior elements. Some building trim may also contain terra cotta. These materials should match the tones of classic “Quad” buildings.
During construction, a small portion of the Medicinal Herb Garden must be sacrificed for a staging area along Stevens Way. Important herbs have already been removed. Once construction is complete, the site will be improved and returned to herb garden use.
Over the next two years, two new wings of the Health Sciences Center will be built on the south side of the complex. South of the G-, H-, and I-Wings will be a $36.8 million H-Wing Addition housing pharmacy and public health plus research space for medicine and the Regional Primate Center. Made of precast concrete, the addition will rise six stories above grade and match the look of the new hospital wing. It should be completed by January 1994.
The Biological Sciences Research Building will go up south of the J-Wing in an area that was once a parking lot. Ranging from $50 to $55 million in construction costs, the structure will house medical research space and the new Department of Molecular Biotechnology. It should be completed by October 1994.