Texas A&M University - Ocean & Coastal Studies Building
Overlooking Texas A&M’s marina on its Galveston Bay island campus, the 110,000 square foot Ocean and Coastal Studies Building houses the university’s marine biology and marine sciences programs. The active marina shelters a fleet of both research and training vessels, and the new building, set upon its bank, serves as a portal to the exploration and knowledge of marine life. The university embarked on this project with three goals in mind: to reinforce the school’s position as a leading marine education and research institution, to promote interdisciplinary teaching and research, and to earn no less than LEED® Silver designation.
The cross shaped building aligns and unifies two existing campus grids, improving circulation and giving landmark status to these strategically sited grounds. Oriented to mirror the dual campus axes, the building’s wings are separated by 104.5 degrees -- the molecular bonding angle of a water molecule, the agent common to all the facility’s research.
The lobby serves as meeting point, connector, exhibit space and navigational hub. Its centerpiece is an open grand stair that vertically connects all three floors. With views to the campus marina, the lobby’s interior also provides a visual connection to its waterside setting. A series of large mosaic murals by noted artist Dixie Friend Gay will embellish the walls with color and texture, informing through environmental responsibility. Constructed of recycled glass, the murals depict regional marine life relating to the studies occurring here.
Adjacent to the first floor labs is a 5,000 square foot sea life center with running seawater supply and drainage. A networked system of filters, pumps and large storage tanks enables the university to maintain local species for research. Variable seawater temperatures allow replication of different oceanic conditions to study their effects on sea life. Sea life facilities here range from phytoplankton culture chambers to marine mammal holding tanks and aquaria.
Consideration for attaining the university’s goal of LEED Silver certification was evident in all phases of the project. As the result of a concentrated effort by WHR with cooperation from both the Owner and Construction Manager, the building has earned a superior LEED Gold rating due to its many conservation strategies.
The result is a highly successful, fully coordinated effort involving owner, researchers, faculty, architect, engineers and contractor, setting the stage for advancing the university in marine science exploration.
