James L. Sorensen Molecular Biotechnology Building
University of Utah
The James LeVoy Sorensen Molecular Biotechnology Building (SMBB), located within the University of Utah’s 11-acre Interdisciplinary Research Quadrangle, stands as a defining center for innovation. Envisioned as a USTAR Innovation Center, the facility is programmed to support biomedical and neuroscience research while fostering the growth of new businesses in engineering, advanced technologies, and medicine across Utah. The building includes laboratory spaces, analytical processing areas, specialized equipment zones, and administrative offices designed to accommodate a minimum of twenty-four principal investigators and their research teams.
The architectural design prioritizes collaboration, organized around a multi-level “Town Square” that connects research neighborhoods and serves as a dynamic hub for interaction. This central atrium, inspired by the canyon landscapes of the surrounding mountains, frames expansive views of the Salt Lake Valley while reinforcing a sense of connection and shared purpose. The facility also houses four core research centers supporting both resident investigators and the broader institution, a 40,000 SF vivarium, small animal imaging suite, microscopy center, and nanofabrication facility.
Complementing the research program, the building incorporates public-facing spaces that promote knowledge exchange and community engagement, including a 150-seat auditorium, lobby and interaction areas, a café, and dedicated visitor spaces for presentations, forums, and informal gatherings.
Sustainability is integral to the design, with LEED Gold certification achieved through energy-efficient systems, high-performance building strategies, access to natural daylight, and the use of carefully selected materials, resulting in an environmentally responsive and enduring research environment.
LEED Gold CertifiedDesign Principals: Lord Aeck Sargent & Prescott MuirProject Architect: Jack Robertson
