Cornell University announced today that it has selected Thom Mayne and Morphosis to design the first academic building for it’s new tech campus on Roosevelt Island. The building, which is to open in Fall 2017, is expected to be a net-zero energy building featuring geothermal and solar power. “Our goal is to design an iconic, landmark building that will resonate with the mission and spirit of the new campus,” said Gilbert Delgado, the University Architect for Cornell. “And we are excited that Thom Mayne and Morphosis will be leading our effort.”

The 150,000 sq ft building is envisioned as a landmark for the campus. Home to the Technion Cornell Innovation Institute, it will house teaching and faculty offices and will likely have space developed to facilitate interactions and to enhance the “opportunities of chance encounters between people to exchange ideas”.

Mr. Mayne said the project presents the opportunity to rethink what an academic building should look like in the information age.