A decade ago, SCB and our partners set out to design a building that would house groundbreaking research and support the people doing it. The result was the Center for Translational Research and Education (CTRE), a state-of-the-art facility on Loyola University Chicago’s Health Sciences Campus. The project redefined sustainability for a building type traditionally associated with high energy use: the research lab.

Working with Transsolar, the design team developed an innovative strategy that separated high-intensity lab spaces—which require tightly controlled air exchange—from surrounding support areas like classrooms, offices, and collaboration zones. These peripheral spaces were designed for natural ventilation and flooded with daylight through a high-performance glass façade with integrated solar shading. The result? A research environment that quietly championed user wellness long before it became a common design driver.

Built to foster collaboration across scientific disciplines, CTRE brings together researchers, clinicians, students, and the community to advance health outcomes and patient care. Flexible lab configurations with shared support, open gathering spaces, and an auditorium for large lectures reflect the building’s dual mission: discovery and connection.

Ten years later, over 500 faculty, staff, and students collaborate in the building, and the University reports 40% increased productivity due to the floor plan layout. The CTRE remains a model of forward-thinking design—proof that energy efficiency, human wellness, and scientific innovation can go hand in hand.