A New Identity at the Front Door of Discovery
Brookhaven National Laboratory is renowned for its cutting-edge scientific research, including Nobel Prize-winning work. The new SUSC building was designed to reflect the magnitude of that legacy, creating a signature structure that embodies Brookhaven National Laboratory’s mission and prominence. The primary directive was clear: the building needed to be visible from the entry to the campus, establishing a new identity for the laboratory from the moment visitors arrive.
To achieve that, the SUSC building is prominently positioned along the entry drive with a soft “L” shape that curves toward the traffic circle for maximum visibility. The design harmonizes with the geometry of the Discovery Center master plan while standing on its own as a landmark. The building program brings together three key components: a conference center, the Brookhaven National Laboratory welcome and secure badging center, and administrative offices.
Bringing the Design to Life Before Breaking Ground
Our firm led the conceptual design and provided a drone flyover that captured footage from Brookhaven National Laboratory’s main entrance along the entry road, highlighting the proposed SUSC building at its future site. This gave stakeholders a real sense of the building’s presence and scale before a single foundation was poured.
As part of this phase, our firm and its sub-consultant also delivered a preliminary cost estimate for the proposed facility. Aligning the vision with the budget early on ensured the project could move forward with confidence and clarity.