The University of W

isconsin Biochem

istry Building

THE FACILITY STORYThe state-of-the-art Biochemistry facility at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

is designed to reflect the prominence this department has achieved as one of the

outstanding programs in the United States.

Founded in 1883, the department’s contributions have dramatically changed our

understanding of the chemical basis of life. The department’s historical contributions

are many, and include:

• Discovery of Vitamin A and the Vitamin B complex

• First chemical synthesis of a gene

• Development of fermentation methods that led to the large-scale preparation of

penicillin and other antibiotics

• Discovery of the hormonal form of vitamin D and use of its analogs to treat disease

Accommodated within 198,000 square feet, the building supports 288 researchers

in 28 laboratory groups placed among an environment of support labs, meeting

and shared research spaces, all located to encourage and support interaction and

the exchange of ideas among the users. Support areas include animal facilities,

an environmental growth chamber suite, research library, lecture forum, and

departmental administrative offices.

The 21,780-square-foot nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) facility is designed to

support one horizontal and three large vertical instruments. The NIH-funded facility

is one of only two facilities of its size in the nation and has the potential to hold the

largest magnet (1 GHz) in the world.

Inside, all research desks and faculty offices are located at exterior windows. Most

faculty have dedicated access from their office suites to their labs, and with two bright

atriums marking areas for communication and circulation, the quality of their research

environment is greatly enhanced.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Biochemistry Building

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THE FACTS

Name/Location: University of Wisconsin-Madison Biochemistry Building Madison, Wisconsin

Owner: University of Wisconsin State of Wisconsin

Principal Function: Research and teaching laboratories, NMR facility

Architect: Flad Architects / Madison, Wisconsin

Engineer: Affiliated Engineers / Madison, Wisconsin Flad Structural Engineers / Madison, Wisconsin

June 1996

September 1998

198,000 square feet

129,000 square feet

Construction Start:

Occupancy Date:

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Total Net Square Footage:

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First Floor Plan

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Basement

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Animal Housing

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Building Sections