Daytona Beach, USA
The Center for Aerospace Technology, part of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park, is a 75,000 square foot advanced technology research center dedicated to space exploration.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University asked us to design a research office and laboratory building for aerospace exploration on their research park.
The goals of the project were to design a research office and lab facility that fronts a major arterial road in Daytona Beach and expresses the mission of aerospace research in the architecture while providing a comfortable, flexible environment for researchers and visitors.
The building was to be an expression of Space Florida, the State’s prowess in aerospace technology. The center houses laboratories and collaborative office and meeting spaces dedicated to aviation, aerospace, cybersecurity, and other related fields.
Industry researchers and academics collaborate, invent, develop, research, and prototype products and software that advance aviation and space exploration.
The researcher’s commons provide a place for occupants to serendipitously meet over a cup of coffee or lunch and share ideas. Inspired by colorful images of galaxies, the Center is a tableau of ‘spacescape’ imagery.
A pleated aluminum and glass façade, made of an assemblage of dichroic and etched glass, simulates the rich kinetic vibrancy of comets, shooting stars, and nebulae.
Framed by precision cut aluminum panels, the colorful glass façade faces a main arterial road in Daytona Beach and announces the Center’s mission to the world.
In achieving the architectural expression of a ‘cosmic nebula’ with the glazing, we utilized triple glazed window units.
This not only helped us achieve the colorful appearance on the exterior of the building, it also significantly increased the thermal value of the glass and improved the overall performance of the exterior envelope of the building.
The building is designed to achieve a LEED Silver certification. Energy modeling was developed and integrated with the development of the exterior envelop of the building to reduce heat gain and minimize cooling requirements.
This assisted in right-sizing the mechanical system. Additionally, the project developed the landscape in front of the building as a “researcher’s park”, a place where occupants can see and visit outside to engage with the landscape, The park provides shaded seating areas, site furnishings and a food truck parking spot to provide amenities to occupants and promote their well-being and comfort.
The design supports the ecological health of the site by transforming a previous brownfield site into a vibrant clean landscape oasis with native plantings and a park adjacent to the building. Previously, manufacturing and industrial buildings occupied the site along Clyde Morris Boulevard
Project: Cici and Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology
Architect: Ikon.5 architects
Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
Façade Consultant: Thornton Tomasetti
Civil Engineer: Parker Mynchenberg
MEP Engineer: OCI Associates
Landscape Architect: Prosser PRIME
Lighting Designer: Fisher Marantz Stone
Contractor: Barton Malow
Client: Rodney Cruise, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Photographer: Joni Hofmann
