Home > PB Upd8 > Archives > 2008 > April > 30 > Entry
Snooping Around Scripps
Rendering of the Advanced Technologies & Administration Building, designed for shoulder-rubbing. The rendering below is of the entrance to the Molecular & Biomedical Research Building.
Before yesterday, the last time I saw my fund-raiser friend Ben Starling he gave me a cake in the middle of the Atlanta airport. Tuesday, he handed me a hard hat, goggles and a safety vest. It’s always an adventure with this guy!
Ben invited me to tour the Scripps Research Insitute campus in Jupiter, his new home and where work continues apace toward an end-of-year completion — except for when work stops for tour groups shuffling through, of course.
The Zeidler-designed buildings are fluid and in colors that are playful enough or Florida but serious enough for biomedical research.
There are no industrial-blue cubicles here. Dr. Harry Orf, vice president of scientific operations, explained how the flowy design and centrally located dining and classroom facilities were conceived to keep people talking to each other. “That’s how good science gets done,” he said.
They didn’t let us near the petri dishes and test tubes, which are housed along with about 170 staffers in 74,000 square feet of space just a blue heron hop across the lake on FAU’s campus. Apparently there is no worry about folks not talking to each other in the temporary digs. I hear if two people stand up from their desks at the same time they’ll bump into each other!
But true to Orf’s theory, there’s some exciting science being committed in those buildings. Just last month, Scripps researchers found a way to “disrupt the production of infectious virus particles that cause hepatitis C.” In January, they discovered a new gene linked to Fragile X syndrome. (Read more here.)
While looking for our cars at tour’s end, a few of us with rather dark senses of humor suggested a parking lot system like Disney’s, only with sections named for diseases or famous scientists instead of cartoon characters.
I parked in Mad Cow/Aisle 2. My friends? They were over in MRSA.
It probably wouldn’t surprise you to learn we were the same guests who offered ourselves us as guinea pigs for the anti-obesity vaccine. As Ben knows only too well by now, there’s at least one on every tour!
But seriously — if you get a chance, don the hardhat and look around. This is rarefied ground.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Around Town, Non-Profits, People
Comments
By Ben Starling
May 1, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
Joyce — so thrilled that you could join us.
Please know you have a standing invitation to tour and explore Scripps Florida at any time!
A big hug from all the gang at Scripps!
By Pat Flynn
May 4, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Joyce, I was taking the VIP Tour at Scripps when you came by. The influence of Alex Dryfoos seemed decisive in the look and feel of the new campus—particularly the sail like signature building and the founders room for big donors. At the Palm Beach Theater Guild, we are very cognizant of how he led the Kravis fund drive—so I may be over-emphasizing this, but I don’t thinks so…
By Joyce
May 5, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
Hi Pat — Yes, it was good to see you there. You are so right about Alex Dreyfoos. I heard on the tour that — among other things — he had stressed the importance of a “signature” building. Thus the wonderful spire, which as I’m sure you also heard was “inspired” by the DNA double helix. Thanks for writing!