Columbia’s University’s new 14-story Northwest Corner Science Building provides an opportunity to foster an interdisciplinary science experience for Columbia students. To support this vision, the University sought Kleinfelder’s expertise to create workable links between the new buildings and the adjacent campus for service and support, assuring pleasant and safe vehicle and pedestrian circulation paths.

Seeking Safety, Efficiency, and Sustainability

Columbia’s Northwest Science Area in Morningside Heights sits on a raised deck with a support and service corridor called “The Grove,” located one story below. The University’s needs included creating a program to ensure timely, safe material deliveries to labs; achieving high standards of sustainable practices; reorganizing The Grove by eliminating inefficiencies, safety risks, and reducing costs of current operations; and supporting collaboration and interdisciplinary research.

Assessment and Alternatives

Kleinfelder studied alternative approaches to materials management and service functions for the new building and its surrounding science cluster. Kleinfelder’s Materials Management Planning Study provided assessment of existing service infrastructure, vehicle traffic, and circulation needs; identified problem areas and defined support space needs; and analyzed waste streams to better manage hazardous materials and promote consumer recyclables. Furthermore, the plan developed effective service operational concept alternatives for this congested area of the campus.

Project Results

By reorganizing and redefining support spaces, developing dock management systems to guide deliveries and materials management, opening new space for academic use, and integrating materials management best practices into the long-term plan, Kleinfelder helped the University create a more functional and cohesive science area.

Project Details

Location:
New York, New York

Owner:
Columbia University