The building, covering an area of 234,000 square feet, has been designed by the Dallas wing of Austin-based architecture firm PageSoutherlandPage. It comprises Computer Science and Engineering and Bioengineering departments and houses space for research teams from varied academic sectors.
The facility has been equipped with various sustainable features which include installation of several energy-efficient green and light-reflecting roofs along with windows which enable optimum passage of natural light. The building also features rainwater and condensate water capture and storage systems to suffice landscaping and irrigation needs.
Other green features installed in the building include occupancy sensors, reduced exterior lighting power and shading devices which together help in reducing energy costs by 14.7%. The entire facility is equipped with low-flow water fixtures which resulted in reduction of potable water consumption by about 50% as compared to conventional models. In addition, about 28% of the materials used during the construction of the facility have been recycled while around 82% of the construction waste has been diverted from landfills.
