2018 Archive : Terasaki Research Institute

Project Details

Fabric 1

Sheerfill V
Producer: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp.
Supplier: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp.

Fabric 2

OTHER
Producer: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp.
Supplier: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp.

Design Company
Atelier Hitoshi Abe

Architect Company
House & Robertson Architects

Fabrication Name
Erik Jarvie

Fabrication Company
Eide Industries, Inc.

Subcontractor Name
Frank Grange

Subcontractor Company
Taslimi Construction Co., Inc.

Project Manager Name
Matt Aulbach

Project Manager Company
Eide Industries, Inc.

Installation Name
Albert Soto

Installation Company
Eide Industries, Inc.

Please describe the project specifications

Two (2) Tensegrity Skylight Systems
- Combined 1,462 SF total Skylight area
- West Skylight 22'-11" x 33'-6" (approx. 771 SQFT)
- East Skylight 22'-11" x 30'-0" (approx. 691 SQFT)

PTFE coated fiberglass membranes using Sheerfill V (above) and Fabrasorb IA (below)
- Fabric flame retardant certification for NFPA 701 and ASTM E-84 Class A
- ASTM E-108 and E-136 Compliance

Fiberglass Oculus by Machineous Consultants, Andreas Froech
- 10' Diameter, 7' Tall
- 36 Assembled pieces
- Painted flat white outside
- Metalized coating on the inside for a mirror finish
- Class A Fire Rating, ASTM-E 84

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

The Terasaki Research Institute is an institution that is dedicated to increasing the success rate and minimizing rejections of organ transplants. Dr. Paul I. Terasaki (1929–2016) entered into an affiliation agreement with UCLA and relocated his facility closer to his alma mater in the Westwood Village. The design of the new building pays homage to the inspiration and legacy of Dr. Terasaki.

What is unique or complex about the project?

Among all the unique features in the new building, the two tensegrity skylights complete with mirrored oculi and programmable lights seem to serve as the centerpieces. Each skylight is a complex system of suspension cables, stay cables, perimeter frame, center frame, waterproof top membrane, non-combustible bottom layer, plexiglass skylight dome, a series of RGB programmable lights and an oculus with a mirror finish.

What were the results of the project?

The two layers of Teflon coated fiberglass fabric produce a light transmission of 5%. During the day, this adds a nice warm light to the lounge areas where sofas are artistically arranged to help researchers decompress and relax in between focused inquiry sessions. Alternately, at night, the portable partitions and furniture can be removed and the magnificent light displays can be used to transform the open space into an entertainment or fundraising venue. With the light transmission of the bottom layer at 29%, the colorful light system can evenly disperse throughout the entire membrane giving the whole room a bold transformation.

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