Dual physics buildings aim for LEED Silver

Two new physics buildings providing 197,000 sf of teaching, study, and office space are opening at Texas A&M University. The $82.5-million George P. Mitchell '40 Physics Building and the George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics and Astronomy offer new research laboratories, graduate and undergraduate lounges, offices, a 468-seat lecture hall, and a 180-seat auditorium named in honor of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking. Designed by Michael Graves & Associates and Michael Graves Design Group, the double-duty project, which uses natural convection currents to maintain optimal room temperature, is seeking LEED Silver certification.