Porter Neuroscience Research Center

Status: Completed

The John Edward Porter Neuroscience Research Center (PNRC), fulfills the original vision of a state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary biomedical research facility and was built in two phases,  600,000 gsf.  For achieving significant efficiencies and energy savings, PNRC was awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Rating as defined by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), and was awarded 3 Green Globes by the Green Building Initiative (GBI).  Phase II construction was funded though the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and was designed by Perkins+Will Architects.

PNRC Institutes: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Eye Institute (NEI), National institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicable Disorders (NIDCD), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NBIB)PNRC I, 45% of the facility, was completed in 2004.  Seven Institutes now occupy it and collaborate in an array of research laboratories, animal care facilities, imaging suites, offices, and associated support facilities.  

PNRC II

PNRC II, 2014, 306,476 gsf  supports the ongoing research activities of 28 principal Investigators spread across seven scientific Institutes.  In addition to the open and closed wet laboratories, the building features a vivarium (over 20,000 research animal cages), a new vertical vivarium with imaging suites, vibration stable core areas, hot rooms, cold rooms, a freezer "farm," and offices.  . Shared amenities include a cafeteria, a four-story sky-lit atrium, a suite of conference and seminar spaces, and public areas for scientific symposia. A spacious, sky lit atrium unites the two phases of the PNRC and amplifies the energy that drives today's neuroscience research. The building also features the latest technologies and offers wireless Internet access throughout.

The numerous Green/Energy Conservation features include:

• Photovoltaic/solar panels
  
  
• Highly chilled beam systems (in lieu of double ducted air systems) to deliver an estimated 20% energy efficiency improvement
   
•  Green Roofs
  
  
• Pervious paving treatments along exterior walkways

• Cost effective/ efficient laboratory lighting including Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), a master addressable lighting control system
  

Presently, NIH is investigating the benefits of solar collectors and a geothermal system, which utilizes ground water for both cooling and heating purposes.

For Design and Construction information, please contact James Earl at (301) 402-9243.