University of Texas Health Science Center – Cooley Center / University Life Center

The UTHealth The Denton A. Cooley, MD and Ralph C. Cooley, DDS University Life Center serves as a multi-purpose facility for all the UTHealth schools and the Texas Medical Center. While it is connected to serve the needs of the School of Dentistry and Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Building, it is available for continuing education, professional conferences, and other events that support the University and local medical and educational community.

This facility has a high-profile location with its public entrance at the main entry to the Research Park campus. A landscaped, circular drive provides a welcoming approach to the main building, and the opposite side of the building opens up onto a generous plaza that is by linked to other University buildings through arcades and meandering walking paths.

The 14,000-square-foot facility is designed to offer maximum flexibility and reconfiguration with movable partitions that allow for multiple room sizes. Seating configurations include a 400-seat auditorium, a banquet hall for 180, and various conference and seminar layouts. It also includes a lobby area for receptions and a covered outdoor terrace and landscaped courtyard that provide convenient break out space.

The Cooley Center features state-of-the-art technology, including wireless connectivity, video and sound systems, teleconferencing and distance learning capabilities. Lighting and audio-visual technology can be controlled at the podium in each room. The wireless technology also is expanded into lobby and terrace and courtyard spaces.

The building envelope incorporates high-performance glazing and shading devices to take advantage of daylighting in the pre-function space. A covered terrace provides shaded outdoor space and includes a horizontal screen that shades a western facing lobby. Meeting rooms that need darkened space for audio-visual are located on the interior which helps to keep the space at a more consistent heat load. A highly reflective roof minimizes heat gain and the interior incorporates the use of durable and low emitting interior materials promote a healthy interior environment. A bioswale filled with vegetation and decorative rock creates a focal point as it meanders across the adjacent courtyard and helps to handle stormwater run-off.