Alexandria GradLabs®

Alexandria GradLabs^® is a freestanding 5-story ecosystem that supports the growth of fledgling San Diego-born companies within a campus of well-established life science entities. Cast-in-place concrete enables maximum flexibility in floorplans to accommodate companies as they grow and connect employees to each other, while access to daylight and views connect them to the outdoors. From the ground level up, design features celebrate marine life and local Nobel Laureates with colorful murals and over 22 pieces of locally sourced art that communicate the building’s collaborative science focus, including a security gate and building screen laser-cut with an abstraction of the protein encoded by FOXP2, the “language gene”; and a feature stair with a jellyfish chandelier inspired by bioluminescence spanning all five stories. At each level, cantilevered wrap-around walkways promote engagement with the outdoors and interactions with other tenants within the GradLabs ecosystem. On the third level, a communal deck offers a large aquarium and canyon views to draw employees from companies of varying specialties to congregate in the open air for play and conversation.

The building is certified LEED Platinum, the highest level under USGBC. Sustainability measures include decreased water consumption and energy use and increased recycled resources and materials use.