Arizona State University Completes Construction on Walton Center for Planetary Health

Arizona State University completed construction in early 2022 on the $192 million Rob and Melani Walton Center for Planetary Health in Tempe. Designed by Architekton and Grimshaw, the 281,000-gsf facility provides leading-edge research labs for biological and life sciences, engineering, and sustainability, as well as offering dry labs for programs in computing, cybersecurity, and robotics. In addition to public outreach and exhibit spaces, the five-story building accommodates technology-rich classrooms, a soaring atrium, faculty and staff offices, and a conference center with a 389-seat presentation hall. Previously referred to as the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 7, the transformative development also houses the Global Futures Initiative, the Institute of Human Origins, the School of Sustainability, the Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, and the Walton Sustainability Solutions Service. 

The project team included Research Facilities Design (RFD) as laboratory design consultant, Buro Happold as structural and MEP engineer, and McCarthy Building Companies as construction manager at risk. Thornton Tomasetti was the sustainability consultant for the facility, which is expected to attain LEED Platinum certification. Featuring innovative self-shading systems, evapotranspiration technologies, and photovoltaic arrays, the structure will conserve enough carbon, energy, water, and waste to achieve triple net-zero performance. Construction began in January of 2019.