Inside

Notice the size of the auditorium. Also the angle of the seat to the stage makes it seems as if no one will have an obstructed view to the speaker.

FLICKR

I like this picture because it is easy to note the scale of the building in comparison to the people. Also the different levels are also visible in this picture.

Neurosciences Institute

Neurosciences Institute

Location: La Jolla, CA

Architect: Todd Williams, Billie Tsien

Dates of construction: 1995 

The Neurosciences Institute is part of a larger research campus called The Scripps Research Institute. As implied by the name, this building aids the theoretical and clinical research on the brain done by the institute. It houses a theory center, laboratories and an auditorium. It is also good to note the fact that this building is actually composed of three buildings that are arranged around a central plaza.

Much of the structure of the building is composed of sand blaster concrete. It is also accented with Texas fossil stone and stainless steel.

Architectural plans 

Other Picutures

A not so beautiful picture

One thing that I really like about this mixture of buildings in the way the Auditorium is mixed with the rest of the structure. By placing the Auditorium in the middle there is the creation of a plaza which is really serene. 

Bird's Eye View

The building is placed in the middle of the research institute. I like how it is completely surrounded by trees which gives it a little bit of privacy despite all the surrounding buildings. To the left ( out of frame) is the ocean which gives it a tranquil vibe.

Blog

Other perspectives

https://placesjournal.org/article/site-ascendant/


I agree with this Professor David Heymann because of the way he is able to visualize the way the building mixes with the environment. One thing that he talks about how the outdoor feels like the indoors. He describes it as a place where the valley and the building are intertwined together. From the pictures I have seen, you are able to visualize the way buildings' entrances are almost as if they are part of the inside of the building. Such mixture, I believe, makes the building part of the environment as a whole. Furthermore, David Heymann talks about how the valley is able to complement the architecture and I also agree with that.

Journal, a story of...

The Physical Space of Science: The Neurosciences Institute and Skirkanich Hall
Tod Williams & Billie Tsien

Three things that I found interesting about this article: 

1. The auditorium is designed to amplify sound. It is actually used frequently for concerts of outdoor groups.
2. Some of the windows in the building are designed to let light in but at the same time maintain privacy. This is due to the slightly upward angle of the windows.
3. The courtyard is designed to incorporate the outdoor and indoor space. This is because the architects wanted to also implement the nice weather of San Diego. 

What do people say? 

I actually have a friend who has visited the site. My roommate, Elias,  a neuroscience major, has visited the space during a vacation with his family. Due to his interest, he mentioned it to be a "cool building because of the way there are multiple layers and the modern architecture". 

He also continued by saying, "If you like modern architecture, I recommend going to this place because it definitely modern and also is close to the beach". 

From his statements I can conclude that this building is something of interest to him and is something that is worth visiting. However, I do think his passion for neuroscience also influenced his judgment. (But hey, that's what its all about) 

Sources

Sources 

• Ansari, Elias. Personal interview. 6 Feb. 2015. 
• "Google Earth." Google. Google Inc., n.d. Web. 5 Feb. 2015. <https://www.google.com/earth/explore/products/plugin.html>.
• Inside Auditorium. Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Feb. 
       2015. <http://www.twbta.com/index.php?p=wc&flashid=1744#/4152>. 
• "Neurosciences Institute." Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Feb. 2015. <http://www.twbta.com/index.php?p=wc&flashid=1744#/nsi>.
• "Neurosciences Institute Scripps Research Institute." adsce. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Feb. 2015. <http://adsce.com/Portfolio/HealthCareAndResearch/neurosciences_institute_scripps_research_institute.html>.
• "Site, Ascendant." Places Journal. Ed. David Heymann. N.p., Dec. 2010. Web. 5 Feb. 2015. <https://placesjournal.org/article/site-ascendant/>.
• Tranimaging. "Neurosciences Institute Scripps Research Institute Oct 1998." 
       Flickr. N.p., 10 Aug. 2014. Web. 5 Feb. 2015. 
       <https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerarch/14881790755/in/photostream/>. 
• Williams, Tod, and Billie Tsien. "The Physical Space of Science: The
       Neurosciences Institute and Skirkanich Hall." Cell Cycle: n. pag. Print.