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ORF Home > About ORF > Building and Facility Managers > Building 35A, John Edward Porter Neuroscience Research Center [PNRC II]

Building 35A, John Edward Porter Neuroscience Research Center [PNRC II]




Rendering of the Porter Neuroscience Research Center Phase II, North view
PRE ESC July 17 2013r
Rendering of the Porter Neuroscience Research Center Phase II, North view Construction

Porter Neuroscience Research Center
Status: Completed
 
The John Edward Porter Neuroscience Research Center (PNRC), located along the western edge of the NIH Bethesda Campus, was built in two phases that total 600,00 gross square feet (gsf). PNRC I, which represents approximately 45% of the facility, was completed in 2004. Seven Institutes now occupy it and collaborate in an array of research laboratories, animal care facilities, imaging suites, offices, and associated support facilities. PNRC II, which was dedicated on March 31, 2014, fulfills the original vision of a state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary biomedical research facility.
 
PNRC II is comprised of 306,476 gsf (exclusive of interstitial space) and supports the ongoing research activities of 28 principal Investigators spread across seven scientific Institutes. In addition to the open and closed wet laboratories, the building features a greatly expanded basement level vivarium (over 20,000 research animal cages), a new vertical vivarium that stretches through the second floor, imaging suites, vibration stable core areas, hot rooms, cold rooms, a freezer “farm,” and associated scientific staff offices. These spaces are distributed over five floors, each of which aligns with the existing levels of Phase I. Shared amenities include a cafeteria, a four-story sky-lit atrium, a suite of conference and seminar spaces, and public areas for scientific symposia. A spacious, sky lit atrium unites the two phases of the PNRC and amplifies the energy that drives today's neuroscience research. The building also features the latest technologies and offers wireless Internet access throughout.
 
For achieving significant efficiencies and energy savings, PNRC was awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Rating as defined by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and was awarded 3 Green Globes by the Green Building Initiative (GBI).
 
The numerous Green/Energy Conservation features include:
·            Photovoltaic/solar panels atop both PNRC I and PNRC II
·            Highly chilled beam systems (in lieu of double ducted air systems) to deliver an   estimated 20% energy efficiency improvement
·            Green Roofs over portions of the roof
·            Pervious paving treatments along exterior walkways
·            Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for exterior and benchtop task lighting
·            Cost effective and efficient laboratory lighting including a master addressable lighting control system
 
Presently, NIH is investigating the benefits of solar collectors and a geothermal system, which utilizes ground water for both cooling and heating purposes.
 
Phase II construction was funded though the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and was designed by Perkins+Will Architects.
 
Institutes: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Eye Institute (NEI), National institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicable Disorders (NIDCD), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NBIB)



 
This page was last updated on May 05, 2017