The tenants of the Coverdell facility represent a large number of disciplines and perspectives, as each individual researcher brings a unique focus to the communal enterprise and also a network of colleagues that extends far beyond the walls of the building and deep into the university’s research infrastructure.

But at Coverdell itself, the coming together of disciplines and perspectives is made even more likely by the building’s architecture, which aims to enable scientific and social interactions. All of the lab space is open and “flexible,” which will allow scientists to move around the areas in accordance with the locations of their current co-investigators. Furthermore, the halls on the second and third floors — where the labs are located — have stools, whiteboards, comfortable chairs and tables so that whenever inspiration strikes some chatting colleagues, they’re never far from the proverbial napkin.

The $40 million building is constructed from indigenous granite and recycled materials, and incorporates "green" environmentally friendly design aspects such as a water conservation system and sensors that detect natural light levels and adjust flourescent lights accordingly.

And they’re going to chat. There’s no way around it. “You cannot get into or out of Coverdell without running into people,” said BHSI’s Dailey. “Some of the best science is born over a cup of coffee, when you can relax and talk with a colleague about what you are doing, and this is a mindset that drove the design of this building.”

CTEGD’s Colley agrees, but he also noted that numerous new situations, aided by the Center’s architecture, will be deliberate. “Interdisciplinary studies are all about creating new disciplines to solve new problems,” he said, “and this building is a new, dynamic piece of architecture designed to make unlikely interactions possible. It is our responsibility as tenants to utilize all aspects of this resource to the fullest — and that includes interacting with each other both formally and informally.”

All in all, concluded Lee, “this is an amazing facility — a new and imaginative material resource. But the architecture will only act to enhance a precious human resource — the researchers who are the heart of the Coverdell Center.” Given the environment and its talented denizens, together with the enlightened vision that inspired and now drives the place, it does not seem premature to say “Coverdell works.”

For more information access http://www.ovpr.uga.edu/coverdell.