Genentech developed a partnership with the South San Francisco Unified School District to design a biotechnology curriculum for secondary education to be used to teach district, high school students. As part of this program, Genentech Foundation engaged HY Architects to design a new building – a “Science Garage” – on the South San Francisco High School campus to teach biology, chemistry, and biotech to equip students for STEM careers. The new 8,000 SF building serves up to 36 high school students and teachers per class period.
The facility features highly flexible learning and teaching environments that take cues from start-up culture. A large garage door enables two adjoined spaces to be divided or serve as one large customizable teaching space. The building includes state-of-the-art biomanufacturing and plant tissue room, individual study rooms, and integrated learning opportunities, such as DNA double-helix inspired tile design. Completed three months ahead of schedule, the project exceeds California’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards.
