Vanderbilt University / Vanderbilt Medical Center

The Vanderbilt University Interdivisional Research MRB-3 serves as a critical programmatic and physical link, uniting Arts & Sciences at the Stevenson Science Center with the Medical Center. For the first time, this facility successfully combines Biology, Molecular Biology, and Medical Research, fostering essential, synergistic collaboration across Genetics, Developmental Biology, Neuroscience, and Biophysical Science.

The architectural design utilizes an innovative vertical stacking strategy engineered specifically to maximize interdisciplinary interaction. Rather than assigning entire floors to a single tenant, the building assigns half-floors to the Medical School and related Arts & Sciences teams, ensuring immediate collocation of research groups. This approach transforms the conventional lab environment into a continuous, interactive experience. The generic 8-person lab module, providing individual 7-foot benches and two common equipment alcoves, is intentionally flexible. Its design directly supports the project mission to link Neuroscience, Structural Biology, and Genetics/Developmental Biology, while the customizable alcove areas meet specific individual research needs.

The project scope extended beyond new construction to create one cohesive research community. This included the substantial renovation of the adjacent 85,000 square-foot Learned Lab Building, which links seamlessly with the new facility via a magnificent sunlit, nine-story atrium. Further expanding the campus’s academic capabilities, a 6,000 square-foot greenhouse dedicated to research and teaching was constructed in air-rights on a nearby facility.

Strategically sited, the building acts as a vital nexus for the wider campus, physically integrating the Nursing School, the Peabody Campus, Arts & Sciences, and the Vanderbilt Medical Center. This connection is achieved through five building connections spanning 18 distinct locations.