DES Architects + Engineers Wins Grand Prize for Roche Research Building

July 17, 2008

DES Architects + Engineers is the recipient of the prestigious 2008 Gold Nugget Awards Grand Prize for Best Office / Professional Building for their work on the Roche Molecular Diagnostics Research Building in Pleasanton, CA.  Judges gave DES highest honors for their innovative work citing the building’s "sleek contemporary design featuring multiple massing forms, efficient use of interior space and commitment to Sustainable design"

DES was selected as the winner from among more than 500 entries from 14 western states.  In its 45th year, the Gold Nugget Awards program is the oldest and largest of its kind, honoring creative achievements in architectural design and land use planning for residential, commercial and industrial projects. 

Under the leadership of DES Principal Craig Ivancovich, this new 135,000 s.f. research building is designed to facilitate collaboration among researchers in different disciplines and groups and act as a unifying element on the 33.4 acre life science campus.  The building’s strong geometric elements, intersecting forms of GFRC, and glass curtain wall complement the existing campus aesthetics.  The research laboratories are designed for optimal flexibility.  Large open labs and common areas encourage collaboration and idea sharing among the employees. With two-stories of curved glass, the daylight-filled cafeteria serves as a central meeting space on the campus. The project is targeted for LEED Silver certification. 

Greg Canfield, Senior Director, Facilities Management, Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. said, “Having worked with DES for the past 12 years, I am very happy with the result and greatly value DES’ additional effort to obtain LEED credits throughout the project.  DES put great emphasis on gaining consensus during the programming and conceptual phases of the project.  We have to thank DES for the many compliments we received for the design features of the new research building.”