The atrium of the new Montgomery College Science Center.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012
A soaring, four-story atrium anchors the 141,000-square-foot Science Center, a dramatic new addition to the Rockville campus of Montgomery College. Designed by Cho Benn Holback + Associates and Stantec Architecture, the eco-friendly, glass-walled structure integrates a green roof, high-efficiency chillers, solar panels, an underground cistern and recycled construction materials. It houses laboratories, classrooms, a rooftop observatory, a greenhouse and faculty offices. Outside, grass terraces serve as outdoor classrooms. The Science Center recently received a 2011 Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Maryland chapter. LEED-gold certification is pending.
DESIGN ARCHITECTURE: DAVID BENN, AIA, LEED AP, principal; Don Farmer, AIA, project manager, Cho Benn Holback + Associates, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland. ARCHITECTURE Management: JOHN KNICKMEYER, AIA, principal; ANDREA FENIAK, AIA, project manager, Stantec Architecture, Washington, DC. BUILDER: Clark Construction Group, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: Patrick Ross Photography.