SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture for a New Building, Merit Award

Gary C. Comer Geochemistry Building at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY and Payette, Boston, MA

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The Gary C. Comer Building provides the Geochemistry Division of Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory with a new 70,000 GSF cutting-edge research facility. The building is home to 70 geochemists who exploit chemical tracers to investigate all aspects of the planet.

The building is situated high above the Hudson River close to a National Natural Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. In addition, the Hudson River Valley is a National Heritage Area due to its scenic beauty. Limiting the building’s physical and visual impact within this protected landscape was one of the project’s principle objectives.

The site abuts a popular network of hiking trails and the building provides direct access to them via a rustic timber stair from the elevated outdoor deck.

The building includes five mass spectrometer laboratories that require extreme control of building vibration. Link columns were installed throughout the entire the laboratory wing, ensuring that any laboratory space could be used for future mass spectrometer use.

The use of extremely hazardous substances in a geochemistry laboratory directly affects overall energy consumption. Highly customized programs were developed for each laboratory, which allowed significant energy savings. Lab customization also reduced extraneous programming and facilitated an easy transition for the department. Sustainable design strategies to suit the many aspects of the building and department were developed.

Bold and innovative design strategies were used at the siting and building organization level. The campus master plan sited the building on a forested hillside; however, the design team recommended siting it on an existing parking lot to minimize land disturbance and preserve trees. The lot’s deeper soil base meant more of the building could be buried below grade and reduce rock excavation. Mechanical equipment was located in a basement rather than on the roof. These measures all limited the building’s physical and visual impact.

The imbalance between the number of laboratories and offices required led to an innovative “skip-stop” massing strategy. A two-story wing of 15-foot high laboratories was coupled with a three-story wing of 10-foot high offices. The lab side was a high-energy environment with complex mechanical systems. The office side was a low-energy structure with operable windows.

This forced the creation of a central atrium zone between the office and lab wings to mediate between the different floor elevations. The atria provide a sense of community that did not previously exist within the Geochemistry Division. Impromptu conversations between researchers now take place and there is increased awareness of division activity. 

The jury said, “ . . . wonderful piece of modern architecture . . . remarkably elegant . . .”

Project Team: Columbia University and Payette, with Torcon; Vanderweil Engineers; Weidlinger Associates; Vollmer Associates (now Stantec) and Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers