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Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute for Neuroscience
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Chen Neuroscience Research Building

North side of the Chen Neuroscience Research Building showing copper facade of the exterior and the Zen garden in the foreground planted with drought tolerant plants, succulents and trees,
View of the north east side of the Chen Neuroscience Research Building.
Credit: Randall Howard
View of the interior of the Chen Neuroscience Research Building from the third floor gallery, it shows the tiled skylight, the third floor elevators, the second floor write up and social areas.
View from the third floor gallery.
Credit: Randall Howard, Caltech
The Zen garden and north side of the Chen Neuroscience Research building in the early evening, the glass windows have a green hue. The Zen garden is planted with succulents, drought tolerant plants and young trees.
View of the garden and north side of the building.
Credit: Randall Howard, Caltech
Lab space with grey counter tops, open upper shelving and light wood lower cabinets.
Lab space.
Credit: Randall Howard, Caltech
South side of the Chen Neuroscience Research building, it shows the large windows and copper facade of the exterior of the building, also Moore Walk, pathway and plant beds with young trees and succulents.
View of the south side of the Chen Neuroscience Research building. Showing
Credit: Randall Howard, Caltech
Lab write up area with tables, blue dividers, lockers and large glass floor to ceiling windows.
Lab write up stations.
Credit: Randall Howard, Caltech
West side view of the Chen Neuroscience Research Building, showing the exterior copper facade, Caltech signage on a white wall next to an oak tree.
View of the west side of the Chen Neuroscience Research Building.
Credit: Randall Howard, Caltech

We are delighted to announce that the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Neuroscience Research Building has been awarded Gold LEED certification for its numerous sustainable features. It will consume nearly 30% less energy than a typical lab building, feature native and drought-resistant vegetation, and serve as a model for resiliency with a 1 MW fuel cell able to power the entire building independently from the electric grid.

The construction journey began in December 2018 with a ground breaking ceremony with our generous donors, Tianqiao Chen and Chrissy Luo. Since then 67,000 cubic yards of dirt have been excavated, 2,100 steel beams have been put in place and 16,200 pounds of copper have been installed on the building façade. In less than two years the five-story, 150,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility is now home to labs and offices for more than a dozen principal investigators, a teaching lab and a 150-seat lecture hall. The building has won a number of awards, see list below. We are proud to call this beautiful space home.

To learn more about the building visit here.

AWARDS
Building Design + Construction: National Building Team Gold Award
DBIA (Design Build Institute of America) WPR: Regional Award
DBIA National: National Award of Merit-Industrial, Process and/or Research Facility
DBIA National: National Award of Excellence
2020 North American Copper in Architecture Award
Pasadena Beautiful Commercial Design Award
World Prix Versailles, Campuses 2021

From the Ground Up

Time-Lapse of the construction of the Chen Neuroscience Research Building.

Highlights

Virtual dedication ceremony of the Chen Neuroscience Research Building.

About

The Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Neuroscience Research Building at Caltech.