Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University
Composed as a series of small volumes and interspersed with gardens at various levels, the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University bridges the institutional scale of the Engineering Quad and the residential scale of Prospect Street. The design reflects a close collaboration between MVVA and Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects to produce a scheme that fully integrates landscape and building. Extensive sunken gardens bring tranquil views and accessible outdoor space to users of Andlinger’s labs and classrooms.
The building is set back from the sidewalk and experienced as a sequence of architectural volumes and landscaped spaces on multiple levels. Sunken gardens provide verdant scenery, exposure to the daylight and weather, and accessible outdoor spaces for occupants of the building, which in large part sits below street level.
A series of green roofs planted with native wildflowers adds to the overall sensory experience.
The Andlinger Center’s landscapes combine the dynamic beauty of the natural world with highly refined compositions of architectural and landscape space—a fitting environment for the visionary work on global sustainability issues housed at the Center.
The gardens provide space for informal gatherings as well as larger events and extend the major pedestrian pathways that link the Andlinger Center to the historic campus core.
Tall trees within the inner courtyards serve as landmarks for navigating the complex network of laboratories, classrooms, and workspaces.
