Strengthening and enhancing opportunity

In support of Texas A&M University's (TAMU) commitment to cutting-edge research in plant health and food safety, the university recently relocated the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology to College Station West, within the Agriculture and Life Science campus, to help strengthen and enhance opportunities for cross-discipline collaboration among faculty and students.

In addition to a variety of student-centered teaching and research laboratories, a core component of the building design consists of faculty-focused administrative support space. Administrative suites for the Department/Business Office and Academic Programs Office were collocated on the third floor of the teaching wing to provide a strong, consolidated administrative presence with ready access for students, visitors, and faculty. A large break area is centrally located adjacent to core support areas, including conference and copy rooms.

Maximizing the building's theme – Science on Display – the design of the administrative suites utilizes a variety of social and visual connectors to foster an open, interactive, and collaborative work environment. Open offices support graduate assistant and post-doctoral work areas, featuring low walls to increase visibility. Enclosed offices with glass fronts support focused and sensitive work while maintaining sight lines between the open and private workspace environments.

Expanding beyond the administrative suites, the heart of the building features a lobby/porch that serves as a social and visual connector to the campus at large. A grand staircase and variety of soft seating options further enhances a sense of community while enabling students and faculty to interact outside of the classroom or lab. Digital display walls celebrate the teaching and research programs, engaging students and visitors throughout the building.

Flad Architects (design architect, programming, lab planning), Randall Scott Architects (architect of record)