Behnisch Architekten has announced the groundbreaking of the AGORA—Cancer Research Center located in Lausanne, Switzerland within sight of Lake Geneva. As the new home of the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), the Center will bring together 400 researchers, scientists, doctors, and clinicians under the goal of enhanced communication.
The new AGORA building will connect to an existing building on one side, with minimal disruptions to existing programming. “Visual relationships both on the site and to the landscape beyond require a carefully defined building mass and the new building responds sensitively to these site conditions while sculpturally standing out from its heterogeneous surroundings.”
Both interdisciplinary and disciplinary communication will be addressed in the organization of the building’s floor plans. The public level of the center will connect the campus’ existing pathways with the laboratory and office levels via interconnected communication areas and informal workspaces.
Designed to enhance daylight use throughout the building while minimizing heat gain, the building’s skin will work in conjunction with daylight enhancement systems and optimized sunlight protection. Furthermore, operable windows will allow for natural ventilation, providing better individual climate control.
A green rooftop will provide recreational space for the building.
AGORA is expected to be completed in 2017.
News via Behnisch Architekten.
