Argonne's Energy Sciences Building in conceptual design stage

Artist's rendering of aerial view, northeast. View more images.

Argonne has awarded a contract to HDR, Inc., to develop a conceptual design for the proposed Energy Sciences Building (ESB). The design, which will be reviewed by the Department of Energy (DOE) and other stakeholders, is scheduled for completion during the summer of 2009. DOE approval of the concept is expected in the fall of 2009.

During January and February of 2009, HDR met with the scientists who will reside in the new facility,to collect information on their programmatic needs, so that those requirements would be properly addressed within the conceptual design documents. Using this data, HDR tailored the building’s conceptual design and floor plan to match the scientists' needs. Conceptual views and layouts for the proposed ESB are available on this website.

In early May 2009, a draft version of the Conceptual Design Report will be distributed, within the laboratory, for review. Upon completion of the review, the conceptual design will be updated and an internal independent review (Red Team Review) will be conducted to prepare the project for an Office of Science review scheduled for August 2009. If all goes as planned, the project expects to receive approval of the Critical Decision 1, “Approve Alternative Selection and Cost Range”, by the end of fiscal year 2009.

Groundbreaking is planned for early 2011, and building completion for late 2014. This proposed $95 million facility will replace antiquated and inadequate space with a state-of-the-art place in which science would be conducted far into the 21st century.

This proposed facility will physically and intellectually group existing energy-related Argonne scientists into closer proximity to each other. The design will include space for the five science theme areas of discovery synthesis, biomemetics and solar energy, catalysis, fuel cells and electrical energy storage.

Agile and sustainable laboratories and offices are needed to support scientific theory/simulation, materials discovery, characterization, and application of new energy-related materials and processes.

The Energy Sciences Building will provide the infrastructure needed to fully realize Argonne’s 21st century scientific potential and will have as its focus the Nation’s most pressing challenge of the century—“clean, affordable, and diverse energy”. Learn more in the Overview.

April 2009

	News				Milestones				Quick Links
	Updated images in the Image Gallery. (More...) HDR, Inc. hired to do conceptual design. (See story, above.)				Conceptual design contract awarded to HDR, Inc., Nov. 2008. Conceptual design complete, Summer 2009. Conceptual design out for DOE approval, Sept. 2009. Request for bid on preliminary design, Fall 2009. Contract award for preliminary design, Fall 2009. Start preliminary design, Fall 2009. Final design complete, 2012. Building move-in, 2014.				Project Review Documents Image Gallery