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Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center (NSUOC) & Seawall Extension
Location: Hollywood, Florida
Client: Nova Southeastern University
Architect: Cannon Design
A new research facility for the Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystem Science (CoE CRES), located at Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center (NSUOC) in Hollywood, Florida, will be the only research facility in the U.S. dedicated to coral reef ecosystem research. Funded in part by a $15 million stimulus grant from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the facility will encompass all disciplines required for integrated coral reef studies, including geospatial analysis and mapping, biodiversity, plant and animal studies, genomics, and hydrodynamics. The 87,000 SF building will also help CoE CRES significantly increase the quality and quantity of its research and education by replacing outdated facilities, increasing funding options by attracting world-class faculty, and fostering an entrepreneurial, multidisciplinary, collaborative culture through partnerships with other academic institutions and with federal and Industry partners.
To meet CoE CRES's diverse research requirements, the building includes a lab block with a "spine" of flexible, adaptable laboratory spaces capable of accommodating a wide variety of lab types, ranging from highly wet, seawater-based environments to dry spaces for data and image analysis. Alongside the rectilinear lab block, another block with a façade of sweeping glass arcs inspired by ocean waves contains a range of collaboration and social spaces, a research library, offices, and fieldwork staging and preparation areas. At the intersection of the glass waves are exterior terraces with water views, and interior informal spaces for collaboration and team research.
In conjunction with this project, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) awarded construction company Moss/Miller, LLC the Seawall Extension project for Phases A & B. The phases include construction of a new concrete seawall and wharf. The new construction will serve to further protect the western shoreline of the NSUOC site, which abuts the Intracoastal Waterway (IWW). Project scope also includes the complete replacement of the existing boat basin bulkhead and fixed docks that presently support NSU's staff and ongoing research efforts. Additional firms associated with the project are EDSA and DeRose Design Consultants.
A fast-track design-build delivery process will achieve the NIST-required January 2012 opening date with a total design and construction period of 18 months. In a design-build arrangement with construction company Moss/Miller, LLC.
