Healthspan, Resilience and Performance Research Complex

Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC), Pensacola, FL

The Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition’s (IHMC) new Healthspan, Resilience and Performance Research Complex will integrate research laboratories with administrative support and outreach/training spaces. The 46,000 SF facility will be located near the existing IHMC campus in downtown Pensacola and its architecture will complement the campus and surrounding neighborhood.

The building will serve as a hub for clinical and translational research, fueling scientific advances ranging from the molecular level to the whole human being. Transdisciplinary collaborative research spaces are envisioned to include cardiorespiratory, neurocognitive, and neuromuscular laboratories, a resistance and treadmill pool, and clinical research and exam spaces. It will also offer a high-volume intervention and rehabilitation facility with a motion capture camera system. Wet laboratory spaces will include tissue histology/cytology core, cell and tissue culture cores, and biochemistry and molecular biology core. Laboratory support spaces such as microscopy, an autoclave, and a walk-in cold room will be provided near the research cores. The administrative office and conferencing spaces will support the research efforts.

The building’s exterior will be constructed of a masonry veneer wall system with thermally broken curtainwall systems, low-e glazing, and metal panel accents. Because of the hot climate, a large canopy extension on the south and east elevations will provide shading to the building. The third floor will feature a covered outdoor terrace with views of Pensacola Bay.

Cooper Carry served as the design architect, providing programming, interior design, and lab planning services. DAG Architects served as the architect of record.