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Application Postmark deadline:  April 1, 2008 How To Apply Digital Image Guidelines 05F1K Application Misc PDF Help

University of Wisconsin-Madison
Biochemistry II
Project #05F1K

Art Budget: $233,000 (Expected to cover all design and fabrication expenses associated with the project.)

Application/Image Deadline: April 1, 2008

Eligibility Criteria: All artists from USA

Art Schedule
Design Due: Late summer, early fall 2008
Installation: TBD pending location
Building Completion: August 2011

Architects: Flad Architects, Madison WI

The Campus

The University of Wisconsin is a major research university, nationally and internationally renowned for its academic excellence, resources, faculty, and commitment to undergraduate education. With a student population over 41,000, the University is comprised of nine undergraduate schools and colleges, and four professional/graduate schools. The campus has a long tradition of interdisciplinary cooperation and consistently ranks among the top educational institutions in the country.

The Biochemistry Department

Biochemists study the molecules of living things. These molecules are extremely diverse, ranging from small molecules with just a few atoms (e.g. sugars, amino acids, and micro-nutrients to very large and highly complex molecules (e.g. proteins, DNA, RNA). There are structures in the cells that perform highly complex functions such as the ribosome and serve as a protein synthesis factory and proteins at cell membranes that function as pumps for ions or nutrients. There is a highly complex traffic of molecules that are moved with great precision within cells or exported from cells.

The Biochemistry Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is also quite diverse. There is a group of laboratories that are busy elucidating the 3-dimensional structures of many of the aforementioned types of molecules. They use X-ray crystallography, which involves creating crystals of the molecules and then subjecting them to a beam of X-rays. The way the beam is diffracted by each atom in the molecules can be analyzed to solve the 3-D structure. Other structures are also being solved by NMR spectroscopy, which studies the behavior of atoms in a magnetic field.

There are laboratories that study the chemistry of bio-molecules. Many are especially interested in enzymes, which catalyze chemical reactions with great specificity and efficiency. Several laboratories study the transport, folding, and secretion of protein molecules. There are some laboratories that study processes directly related to human diseases; diabetes, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, and obesity.

All of the processes described above are part of an invisible world. Our conception of these processes is inferred from indirect methods. In order to formulate experimentally testable hypotheses and communicate our ideas, we rely on many types of visual representation of structures, concepts, and biochemical mechanisms. This part of our work is so important that we have three full-time artists employed to help us create these representations. The output of this process is used every day in slide presentations and publications from our laboratories.

The artist who will be commissioned for this art project will have an opportunity to become acquainted with the many different forms of visual representation of our research.  The commissioned artist may be able to work closely with the graphic artists of our department to obtain sample sketches and to see the full spectrum of images that represent our research endeavors.

The Facility

The Biochemistry II project site is located in a very dense part of the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus. Several nearby structures, such as the 1906 Agricultural Journalism Building and the 1912 & 1937 Biochemistry Buildings are part of the Henry Mall Historic District. The Agriculture Journalism building (c. 1906), the 1912 and 1937 Biochemistry buildings will all be restored as part of this project. The newly constructed auditoria spaces will be inserted between the 1912 and 1937 buildings and clad with a gabion wall constructed of rubble brick held in a wire framework. The historic east, west and south exterior façades facing Henry Mall and University Avenue, will be preserved. Here is a webpage for the UW Madison Biochemistry Department.

The Biochemistry II project will consist of several components: a) the modern six story state-of-the-art research tower that will replace the existing 1956/1985 Biochemistry building and b) the renovation and adaptive reuse of the existing 1912 and 1937 buildings. This two-part strategy allows the UW Biochemistry Department to preserve its historic legacy while continuing its history of ground-breaking research well into the future. A pedestrian bridge will connect the newly constructed infill portion of the 1912 and 1937 buildings to the new research tower. [ See image ]

The Biochemistry II project serves two primary missions: instruction and research.  Instruction is located exclusively in the historic 1912 and 1937 Biochemistry buildings fronting Henry Mall to the east and University Avenue to the south. Research laboratories will be located in the newly constructed research tower located in the void created by the demolition of the 1956 Biochemistry building and portions of the 1985 Biochemistry building.

In order to respect the historical nature of the existing buildings and to address the current and future needs of the Biochemistry Dept., the massing, proportions and contextual relationship of the new research tower has been carefully considered in relation to its surroundings. The roof height of the research tower is approximately the same as that of the 1985 Biochemistry building, although mechanical screens and penthouse space will exceed that height. The research tower is separated from the historic buildings to the south by approximately thirty feet, reestablishing the intent of the original 1908 Campus Masterplan by Laird and Cret.

The 1906 Agriculture Journalism Building is programmatically incorporated into the new research tower but a separation of approximately twelve feet has been maintained to preserve the character of the historic building. In addition, the research tower is stepped back at the sixth floor by approximately eight feet in an effort to minimize the overall impact of the size disparity between buildings.

The first floor of the research tower is set back further to enhance and shelter a portion of the pedestrian open space that separates the historic Biochemistry buildings from the new research tower. Ground floor spaces are dedicated to large group and general use spaces. A small plaza which serves the café is set back slightly from the corner of Agriculture Journalism. 

The primary exterior treatment of the new research tower includes terra cotta, glass and anodized aluminum. The east façade which is the backdrop for the Agriculture Journalism Building will be a weave of terra cotta sun shading elements over a deep vertical aluminum window mullion sun shading system. This façade is intended to present a delicate texture which de-materializes the scale of this elevation while the terra-cotta sunshade elements which provide a direct material relationship to the terra-cotta roof tiles on the adjacent historic buildings. The south façade is composed in a vertical rhythm similar to the nearby 1998 Biochemistry building. Terra cotta cladding and glass window bays create the primary rhythm of this elevation. A layer of aluminum sun shading is beyond the glass to limit solar heat gain as well as to relate this façade to the other elevations. The southwest corner of the building holds break rooms which look out to an existing courtyard with a mature American Elm tree. Although the exterior is detailed to relate to the reminder of the building, the development of this corner expresses the open social character of the space within. It is a focal point upon approach to the building and a unique element in the composition.

A mature ‘heritage’ American Elm tree is located between the 1937 and 1998 Biochemistry buildings. The Heritage Tree has been evaluated and deemed healthy and will thus be preserved as the focal point of the existing courtyard. [ See image ]

Pedestrian access to the new facility will be gained primarily from the courtyard area between the research tower and the 1912 and 1937 Biochemistry buildings to the South. In this area, there will be two entries into the first floor lobby space and an additional entry into the Southern facade of the existing Agricultural Journalism building. The area directly south of the Agricultural Journalism building will be developed as a sunken courtyard serving the cafe.

Colored and textured concrete will be used for paved surfaces. Site lighting will be used to illuminate building entries, pedestrian walkways, and accent landscape plantings. Landscape plantings will consist of deciduous ornamental trees, and a mix of evergreen and deciduous shrubs and groundcover. Deciduous shade and ornamental trees will be used along the western edge of Henry Mall.

Floors two through six of the research tower are devoted to research laboratories. Each floor has between eight and ten research labs for a total of 42 labs. The floors are connected by an open stair adjacent to the break rooms in an effort to foster interaction among researchers. The west facing stair is clad with a pattern glass to reduce heat gain and glare. Laboratories are used 24-hours a day so each floor will receive a shower or mother’s room /overnight room for staff use. Faculty offices are located directly adjacent to their research lab whenever possible.

Throughout the interior public spaces high quality materials have been chosen for durability and longevity. The walls of the 13 ft. high atrium and public lobby of the research tower will utilize Terra Cotta panels with stainless steel reveals and reference the exterior materials. Both the entry vestibule and the atrium and public lobby floor treatment will consist of 3/8 inch epoxy terrazzo.

Percent for Art Specifications

The selection committee is interested in artwork that might be sited in a variety of public spaces located in the interior of the research tower and in the exterior courtyard/plaza site. While the sites listed below serve as suggestions, artists may identify additional locations for artwork. Pending the location of the artwork, portions of the construction budget may be accessed to support the cost of the artwork.

Exterior sites that may be appropriate include but are not limited to:

1. The exterior courtyard plaza. [ Sites 1 & 2 ]
2. The sidewalk and path between the Agricultural Journalism and historic Biochemistry Buildings. [ Sites 1 & 2 ]
3. The gabion wall on the north facing side of the 1918 Biochemistry Building. Artwork in this location must meet specific structural requirements to be provided later. [ Site 3 ]

Interior sites may include but are not limited to:

4. The terrazzo floor of the vestibule and atrium entry area. (Please note that a terrazzo floor designed by Seattle WA artist, Norie Sato is located in the 1998 Biochemistry Building in the near vicinity of the current project.) [ Site 4 ]
5. Window treatments of the west facing stair case. [ Site 5 ]

Conceptual approaches

The selection committee was interested in conceptual approaches that:

• Demonstrates the core idea that Biochemistry is the chemistry of Life.
• Exemplifies the vitality of molecules as the building blocks of cells.
• Examines the concept that, even in science, at certain point, everything is inference. That this is the study of an invisible world and how it is communicated visually in both two and three dimensional forms. That there is transcendence from our idea of the single atom to the reality of a living thing.
• Utilize color coding and patterns etc. to demonstrate correlations and quantitative relationships.
• Have a strong intellectual and poetic dimension. 
• Makes the case for abstract imagery having more lasting power than literal interpretations.  
• Be complex enough to allow viewers to learn from it over time and provide a sense of discovery. 
• References the history of the department while also reflecting that great science discoveries continue into the future.
• Serves, as an ambassador- the artwork needs to be appealing and accessible to non-arts people.

Materials

Discussion about possible materials focused on the desire for permanent, durable and materials. Materials that support the artist’s concept are desired.

 

Updated: February 19, 2008