Cornell University Atkinson Hall

An embodiment of “One Cornell,” Atkinson Hall provides a dynamic and cohesive research environment for distinct but overlapping programs within the spectrum of health, environmental policy, and sustainability. The design connects wet, dry and computational labs into a cohesive light-filled research zone, facilitating collaboration and maximizing space utilization. Overlooking the Cornell Botanic Gardens, Atkinson Hall is sited and designed to minimize its impact on the surrounding landscape to the north while framing a threshold into the campus along Tower Road. The design preserves open space for a constructed wetland that manages stormwater on site and minimizes erosion while preserving a stand of majestic pines. The configuration also allows daylight to penetrate deeper within the building and promotes views of the surrounding landscape and Gardens.

In collaboration with SWBR.

Employing strategies learned from hospitality and co-working spaces, a warm and welcoming lounge and collaboration space greets visitors and collaborators to the Atkinson Institute and School of Public Health located on the first floor.

The transparency between spaces maximizes effective daylighting and reduces energy use. A central public stair overlooking the Botanic Gardens creates a strong vertical connection between programs while shared meeting and social spaces clustered around the stair at each level invite research teams to gather and foster community and collaboration.

Lake Flato brought the highest level of expertise in every aspect of design and planning to our projects, listened to us, and delivered. The buildings they created for us are uniquely Cornell and will have a long lasting impact on our campus and the people who comprise this great university. Margret M. Carney

University Architect

Wet, Dry, and Computational Labs for Cancer Biology, Computational Biology and Immunology occupy the upper three floors. The laboratory layout was conceived to promote interdisciplinary collaboration with shared support spaces located to promote a strong visual and spatial connection between wet, dry and computational labs, which should increase flexibility and utilization.

A Reading Room, Kitchen and Lounge were aggregated into a Collaborative Core creating a destination and shared resource to foster community and collaboration.