Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/1111486
18 t m c » p u l s e | m ay 2 0 1 9 t m c » p u l s e | m ay 2 0 1 9 18 T he Texas Medical Center's TMC 3 campus is undergoing critical updates to its design, including the introduction of green space that extends even further across the campus and provides a crucial link within the medical city. The TMC 3 translational research campus, slated to open in 2022, will serve as a nexus between TMC's clinical and research campuses. Importantly, it will foster "collisions" between doctors, researchers, entre- preneurs and others, facilitating the essential links needed to grow and sustain the area's innovation ecosystem. "We didn't want to create an isolated district—we're creating a hub," said architect David Manfredi, CEO of Boston-based Elkus Manfredi, the firm designing TMC 3 . "It's the glue that makes the connections between all these places and creates opportunities for unin- tended collisions. It's all about the interaction of institutions, industry and startups." Elkus Manfredi Architects, Transwestern and Vaughn Construction will serve as the architectural and development team that will design and build the campus. The project was announced in April 2018 at a press conference led by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and the leadership of the five founding TMC 3 member institutions: the Texas Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The 37-acre campus will be located east of Bertner Avenue and west of Cambridge Street, extending from Braeswood Boulevard on the north side to just south of Old Spanish Trail. "The Texas Medical Center is eager to move forward with a bold, imaginative and dynamic new design vision for the TMC 3 Master Plan," said TMC President and CEO William "Bill" McKeon. "With the com- bined talents of Elkus Manfredi, Transwestern and Vaughn Construction on board, I couldn't be more confident that this dream team will flaw- lessly execute the totality of the project's vision and fulfill its mission to bring together leading researchers and top-tier expertise from the private sector to create the No. 1 biotechnology and bioscience innova- tion center in the world." Notably, the updated plans call for an elongated green space prom- enade—known as the "DNA necklace"—that spans the entirety of the TMC 3 campus. A series of lens-shaped green spaces will be interlaced with a walkable and drivable street grid, allowing for easy access. "The most memorable things on many college and university cam- puses aren't the buildings but the spaces," Manfredi said. "We wanted to make great, open spaces that will attract people not just from the Texas Medical Center, but from the entire city of Houston." The project will include individual lab buildings and mixed-use space on the ground floor. Situated along the green space will be collaborative facilities, retail and residential opportunities and a hotel and conference center. Parking will be housed underground to optimize the street-level space for walkability, amenities and communal interactions. The goal is to create a true "live, work, play" ecosystem. "You can attract talent with great research and facilities, but if you FOR TMC 3 A LEAP FORWARD Updated design includes "DNA necklace" that spans the length of the campus B y R y a n H o l e y w e l l David Manfredi is the CEO of Elkus Manfredi Architects, the firm designing TMC 3 .