The 210,000-sf Texas Woman’s University, Institute of Health Sciences accommodates laboratory, research and lecture facilities for nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy students, as well as necessary administrative and common areas. Located on one of the most visible sites entering the Texas Medical Center, the Institute comprises and entire city block and provides a visually appealing connection and gateway into the Medical Center.
The Institute of Health Sciences follows a unique design approach compared to other university institutions. Because of site constraints, designers applied the idea of a high-rise campus to accommodate all the functions taking place inside the facility, while incorporating environmental-friendly strategies for the new building. The college is designed to house the existing and future professional programs in a multi-disciplinary academic environment. By creating a campus-like quality within a high-rise building, the exterior façade is designed to reflect the various interior functions, which provides a collage of forms creating visual interest while accentuating the overall scale of the 10-story building.