Gates Vascular Institute and the Clinical and Translational Research Center

Where great minds in health and research collide

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A translational environment where some of the greatest minds in vascular health and research converge.

Client
Kaleida Health and the State University of New York at Buffalo
Location
Buffalo, New York, United States
Size
476,000 square feet
Status
Completed 2012

In translational health environments, proximity matters. Studies have shown that accessibility, visibility and walking distances significantly affect the frequency and location of face-to-face consultation and innovative outcomes. Recognizing this, we partnered with Kaleida Health and the University at Buffalo (UB) to bring together some of the greatest medical minds in vascular health and related research to foster “creative collisions” to accelerate medical breakthroughs.

The Gates Vascular Institute and the Clinical and Translational Research Center (GVI/CTRC) serves as more than just a groundbreaking research institution. It's a catalyst to deliver enhanced innovation, partnership and revenue for the city of Buffalo. It's the centerpiece of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC), a consortium of the region’s premier healthcare, life sciences research and medical education institutions, all co-located on 120 acres in the city’s downtown.

Gates Vascular Institute
For maximum flexibility, the structure is designed as a cube, with a universal grid structural system. The flowing ribbons on the exterior convey a futuristic feel and allude to the study of vessels, appropriately.
Gates Vascular Institute
The cube is wrapped on two sides with fritted glass that captures the spirit of energy and innovation. Baffles shade the glass curtainwall to the east and west to control heat transfer while admitting natural light.
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The GVI/CTRC not only adds to the Buffalo skyline, but is a beacon for recruitment from all over the country.

On the first four floors of the building, internationally renowned physicians are performing complicated procedures on patients needing stroke, cardiac and vascular care. On the top four floors, research teams are exploring novel treatment strategies to better serve the patients downstairs. And sandwiched between the two is an innovation center specializing in medical devices to treat vascular diseases—as well as a two-level collaborative core that brings all of these entities together to move new discoveries from the bench to the bedside.

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A soaring atrium at the heart of the building brings together doctors and researchers in unique ways to collaborate. Both labs and conference rooms look out into this space, while an open staircase connects the floors to create an open and dynamic atmosphere.
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The crowning feature—and true hub of impactful collisions between the doctors and researchers—is a two-story collaborative core on the fourth and fifth floors; it's the central hub of interaction and activity.
Gates Vascular Institute
Areas for multidisciplinary collaboration abound throughout the building, accelerating the bench-to-bedside cycles for medical breakthroughs.
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Areas for multidisciplinary collaboration abound throughout the building, accelerating the bench-to-bedside cycles for medical breakthroughs.

By the numbers

$20 million

Through a unique public/private partnership, the project was delivered two years ahead of schedule with $20 million of savings over traditional procurement.

64,000

Designed to accommodate 64,000 patient visits per year.

$21.7 million

The value of a recent Clinical and Translational Science Award granted by the NIH.

10 stories

The ten-story facility is “stacked” to create common spaces and a unique environment fostering collaboration among practicing physicians and scientists as well as better care.

Gates Vascular Institute
The crisp neutral colors of the exterior—white metal, concrete and gray—are continued throughout the interior.
Gates Vascular Institute
Curvilinear interior elements complement the fluid and organic exterior of the building.
Gates Vascular Institute
Curvilinear interior elements complement the fluid and organic exterior of the building.
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Curvilinear interior elements complement the fluid and organic exterior of the building.
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In addition to leading the design, we led the engineering for the project. Mechanical and electrical systems distribution were designed to accommodate future technologies without having to heavily modify.
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An expanded central plant provides steam, chilled water, electricity and emergency power that serves the entire medical campus.
Gates Vascular Institute