University of Colorado Boulder JILA Addition

Expanding world-class research capabilities through advanced laboratories designed for scientific discovery and innovation.

The 50,800-square-foot addition to the University of Colorado Boulder’s JILA Complex was developed to support the continued growth of one of the world’s premier scientific research institutions. Home to internationally recognized researchers, including Nobel Prize laureates, the facility expands JILA’s ability to advance groundbreaking work across disciplines ranging from astrophysics and biophysics to nanoscience.

Designed to meet the evolving needs of leading scientists and researchers, the addition provides state-of-the-art laboratory environments, technical support spaces, offices, and collaborative areas that foster innovation and interdisciplinary research. The facility enhances both the capacity and capability of JILA, a joint institute of the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), enabling future scientific discoveries at the highest level.

Construction required exceptional coordination due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing research taking place within the adjacent occupied facility. Saunders worked closely with university facilities personnel and JILA researchers to maintain constant communication regarding construction activities, carefully monitoring noise and vibration levels to minimize disruption to highly sensitive experiments and equipment.

The result is a sophisticated research environment that supports cutting-edge scientific exploration while seamlessly integrating with an active world-class research campus, helping position JILA for continued leadership in scientific discovery for years to come.

This project received multiple industry awards, including:

• 2012 Best Higher Education Project from Engineering News-Record (ENR) Mountain States
• 2012 Bronze ACE Award for Meeting the Challenge of Difficult Job from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Colorado
• LEED Gold Certification, 2012