Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

Research Tower

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (ORMF) is an investigative research entity focused at the molecular level. The research is conducted in a Biological Safety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory as well as an animal care environment. Among other diseases, the research encompasses Alzheimer's, lupus, cancer and cardiovascular disease. We designed OMRF's research tower, an 8-story, 185,000 square foot building conceived using an innovative approach to laboratory design. The design is based on an efficient "pinwheel" floor plan concept. The main corridors on the upper floors in the center of the building create the shape of a pinwheel and have a laboratory block attached to it. A ghost corridor connects all four laboratory blocks. Researchers are able to communicate visually and physically between lab blocks. The main corridor in the center functions as a meeting and break area. Glass walls create views from the core into the lab allowing people to orientate themselves while moving through the building. The ground floor provides space for imaging, vivarium and support labs while the main level includes support amenities to serve the entire campus. The upper floors have eight principal investigators per floor.