THE INCUBATOR A NEW PROGRAM FOR A NEW TIME The Incubator is Prentice Tower as a creative space for start-up companies in the bio-medical field The Incubator is a business model that combines biomedical education & research with the goal to launch successful start-ups in biotech as well as showcasing Northwestern University to the public. With office spaces and Lab spaces for lease as well as audiotoriums, show rooms and conference rooms and even short stay hotel rooms for guest researchers all the functions a startup company can need are represeted. With its close proximity to the rest of the Campus / hospital neighbourhood there are many synergy effects for the whole area to be obtained. Finally the program in the building includes many recreational functions that are open to the public as well, such as a sky bar and a rooftop swiming pool /gym. The audiotoriums and exhibition areas can also be used for public events.
PODS All the functions are grouped together in clusters of circular slabs and stacked and entwined vertically like a DNA-string for a spatially interesting and flexible effect. This liberates the curvlinear space inside Prentice tower and releases its sculptural effects also from the inside.
PRESERVATION = REMOVAL OF THE OLD SLABS.. The existing floor slabs in the building are demolished and replaced by the pods. Since the slabs aren’t flexible enough neither in plan or section; and since the most important feature of the Prentice tower is its load-bearing, concrete shell-structure, this operation is done to liberate the curvilinear, beautiful space inside the Prentice tower. Before Prentice tower was seen as a sculptural building form the outside, but now this is true for the inside as well.
..BUT PRESERVATION OF THE SHELL The shell is keep intact, it’s the best feature of Prentice Tower. It get a new dramatic light effect from the refurbished teracce area. LABORATORIES FOR LEASE IN THE BASE The labs for lease are placed in the base of the building. This part get a new more translucent, double skin facade of glass and metal mesh.
NEW LAB On the plot across the street from the Prentice building a new state of the art medical lab is built and connected with the Prentice building with a foot bridge. PUBLIC SQUARE In connection with the new reserach lab a public space is c reated.
urban situation & concept
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