University of Washington
Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute
![The university building's exterior is illuminated at night by ceiling downlights, pendants, and indirect lighting.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63c54acda911ef12d76b669c/be58f369-2dc2-44df-90c9-e2180ed7f0ff/Molecular+Engineering+1800+x+972.jpg)
The University of Washington's new Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute advances biotechnology and clean-technology research. The building's main corridors feature architecturally integrated, daylight-dimming fluorescent lighting tucked between translucent removable fins, creating a soft glow to the surrounding flexible spaces. Transparent collaboration spaces lit by downlights and wall-washed writable surfaces are spread throughout the building to encourage the cross-pollination of ideas. Laboratories and offices encompass a similar profile of indirect and direct daylight-dimming pendant fixtures with linear lighting integrated along the cable tray, providing discreet separation between offices and laboratories while maintaining visibility between spaces to encourage collaboration.
The linear red-green-blue (RGB) LED accentuates the facility's skylight, helping to avoid night-sky pollution. The RBC-LED lighting fills the skylight with color viewable from above and below. Additional lighting solutions encompass color-coded lights near operable windows, signaling to users when natural ventilation is possible, and integrated fan controls into the lighting control keypad for ease of use. Architecturally integrated and wall-mounted dimming fixtures illuminate the stairwells, providing transitional lighting between the landing and break area.
LOCATION:
Seattle, Washington
SIZE:
90,000 square feet
PROJECT PARTNERS:
Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
ZGF Architects LLP
LEED® STATUS:
LEED Gold
AWARDS:
2012 Best Higher Education/Research Project - ENR
2012 Best Higher Education Project - ENR Northwest
2013 Edwin F. Guth Memorial Award for Interior Lighting Design, National and Local Awards - IES