The redesign of a world-class institution

Project: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, New York Architects: WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism, New York

Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is an internationally-recognized leader in veterinary education, research, diagnostics, animal care and biomedical science. Through outreach that ranges from Ebola virus prevention to healthy pet clinics, and research ranging from invasive diseases to species tracking, the college works to support communities across the world by leading in research on animal health and infectious disease prevention.

The new design transforms the original complex, an ad-hoc collection of individual buildings, into a cohesive campus— through strategic demolition of nonadaptable structures, renovation of existing buildings, and new construction. It signals the importance of the institution and enables the school to advance research, while offering innovative curriculum for training future practitioners and researchers.

The 117,000 square foot project features a new 67,000 square foot addition and 50,000 square foot gut-renovation—adding teaching spaces, connecting the hospital to the college, and creating public forums for programmed and spontaneous activities, all within the same overall square-footage as the original complex. Located at the eastern terminus of Tower Road, the expansion provides an updated anchor to Cornell’s east-west campus axis.