Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects LLP (ZGF) has been selected to design a Max Planck Society research institute. This will be the first time in its 60-year history Germany’s Max Planck Society has established an Institute in the United States. The world renowned organization provides basic research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences and the humanities. The Society’s first US building will be located in Jupiter, Florida on the campus of Florida Atlantic University. The 100,000 sq ft Max Planck Florida Institute plans to advance the world’s knowledge of bioimaging by using cutting-edge techniques to study the molecular process. They anticipate breaking ground on the facility in Spring 2010.

“We conducted a national search for firms with the specific experience this project requires, with special emphasis on knowledge of major biomedical research facilities and laboratory operations. ZGF has exceptional national experience and in some aspects they even exceeded our expectations,” said Dr. Claudia Hillinger, a representative of the Max Planck Society’s Division of International Relations.

“We are honored to be part of Max Planck’s presence in the United States,” said Margaret DeBolt, AIA, Managing Partner of ZGF’s Washington, D.C. office. “Our team brings design excellence to research facilities and we look forward to collaborating with Dr. Hillinger and her colleagues.”