Neurobiology Building, Weizmann Institute of Science
Location: Weizmann Institute Campus, Rehovot
Client: Weizmann Institute of Science
Area: 20,000 sqm
Team: Alon Sarig, Mahdi Marabe, Avinoam Sharon, Talma Weitzner
Year: 2020
Collaboration: Chyutin Architects: Bracha Chyutin, Jacques Dahan
Competition Entry
Project Description:
Design Principles
Integration and segregation between the various components of the given program.
Simplicity, efficiency and maximal flexibility of circulation, technical systems and workspaces in the building.
Energy and comfort
Integration and Segregation
The volumetric composition we propose breaks up the concentric scheme of a vertical building and re-assembles it into a cluster of 4 horizontal buildings surrounding an open courtyard and connected by circulation rings, technical support systems and “green rooms”. Such arrangement creates a larger floor area, one which accommodates 12 research groups in a floor (instead of 6 in a concentric scheme), intensifies the lateral connections (which are more effective than the vertical ones), and encourages cross-disciplinary interaction between the research groups. At the same time, the division into 4 distinct buildings, enables a more accurate characterization and optimization of each according to field and methodology of research, or even its total autonomy, uf necessary.
Efficiency and Flexibility
The building addresses two types of frequent users: the researchers working there habitually and the general community of the Weizmann Institute visiting occasionally. Accordingly, the ground floor is designed as a public space with a patio for group meetings and social events, auditorium for conventions and a cafeteria. The three upper floors are designated for research groups. They are designed with the utmost efficiency of the circulation system and the technical shafts and offer optimal flexibility and adjustability of research spaces on a modular grid of 110 cm.
In addition to operational efficiency and technical precision, the building provides an array of spatial and visual experiences and a wealth of gathering places for its residents and visitors.
Energy and Comfort
Ecologically, the building strives to achieve not only energetic efficiency of its systems, but just as well optimal comfort for its tenants. Our horizontal scheme, spreading and fragmenting the building on the lot, rather than compacting it, facilitates, first, the introduction of nature into the heart of the building, creating inner climate, shaded, ventilated, conditioned without mechanical systems, and second, the doubling of the envelope area of the building and the provision of daylight, natural air and panoramic views to all the research and office spaces of the building.
The design of the inner facades (facing the central courtyard) and the outer facades enables the opening and closing of windows and shading devices and provides a simple and reliable climate control and energy saving system.
The horizontal break up of the building’s mass also doubles the roof area (to 5,000 sqm). This excess roof space may be used to produce solar energy for the building.
