University of Chicago Gwen and Jules Knapp Center for Biomedical Discovery
Chicago, Ill.

Construction is complete on a 330,000-SF, 10-story science and medical research facility at the University of Chicago, for which we provided structural engineering services for Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP. The building recently received Midwest Construction magazine’s Best of 2009 Award of Merit. Located on the university’s Hyde Park campus, the Knapp Center accommodates wet laboratory programs for the medicine, pediatrics and cancer research departments. The south side of the building has a 21-ft. cantilever over the building entrance. The center’s exterior is a limestone base with glass curtain walls. Two wing-like architectural elements supported on steel trusses cantilever from the building, extending the façade. A roof canopy formed by a structural steel cornice and a green roof top out the structure’s one-story mechanical penthouse. A 90-ft. pedestrian bridge extends from the Knapp Center at the third floor to the Gordon Center for Integrative Science; a second bridge spanning 38 feet links to the Donnelly Biological Sciences Learning Center.