University of Kentucky

College of Pharmacy, Biological Pharmaceutical Complex (Lee T. Todd, Jr. Building)

Lexington, Kentucky

Size
300,000 gsf

Services
Laboratory Planning
Architectural Design

Roles
Ellenzweig
Design Architect and Laboratory Planner

EOP Architects
Architect of Record

Certifications
LEED Silver

Awards
AIA Kentucky Honor Award for Excellence in Architectural Design

Kentuckiana Masonry Institute “M” Honor Award for Best Overall Use of Masonry Design

The Biological Pharmaceutical Complex (Lee T. Todd, Jr. Building), the home of the University of Kentucky’s College of Pharmacy, consolidates the College’s academic and research programs into one building, strengthening research collaboration among the faculty. The building provides space for all of the College’s functions: innovative research, teaching, student and social activities, and offices for faculty and administration.

A five-story atrium provides visual and physical connection with all levels of the building, via a monumental, open stairway, with the ground floor serving as a gathering and event space. The first and second floors of the building are dedicated to teaching facilities and administrative offices: lecture halls, classrooms, problem-based seminar rooms, pharmacy teaching labs, and administrative offices including the Dean’s suite. Chemistry, Biology, and Pharmaceutical research laboratories and support facilities, as well as faculty offices, are located on the third through fifth floors. Other specialized facilities in the building include core labs, an NMR facility, vivarium, and patient assessment suites.

Four specialized teaching labs—Patient Interaction, Non-Sterile Compounding, Sterile Compounding, and Patient Assessment—are located in a suite configuration along the main circulation corridor on the second floor. Interior glazing along the south side of the suite allows visitors to view the teaching labs in action.

The Patient Interaction Lab is an open lab environment. Each table of four is outfitted with two computers and a low divider to support interaction exercises; the mock pharmacy is located at the rear of this space.

The 56-person Non-Sterile Compounding Lab features four-person research-style benches arranged in a large room with support benches containing sinks along the perimeter. Each bench is designed for one computer with a raised area for storage of scales and other equipment.

The Sterile I/V Prep Lab has twelve mock hoods located in the center of the room, surrounded by a buffer zone intended to simulate actual sterile compounding protocols, complete with gowning and product sterilization techniques.

The 220-person tiered lecture halls feature daylight and views along one side of each room. Each has a full complement of presentation technology and a dedicated A/V control/equipment room with windows into the room.

Research labs are located in open-plan “neighborhoods,” each consisting of four 8-person modules. The write-up area is located along the exterior wall, separated from the lab environment by a glazed interior partition, allowing for independent circulation and full view into the lab.

A lot of opportunities have come our way because of this building…..a great Dean, new faculty, great visibility on and off campus – I would not have imagined that it was possible that a facility could have made such a difference. Clearly it has.

– Patrick McNamara, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus and Former Senior Associate Dean College of Pharmacy University of Kentucky