Resnick Sustainability Center – California, USA

Designed by our Yazdani Studio, the Resnick Sustainability Centre is a makerspace for climate science that stands out for its inspiring design, use of mass-timber, creative prototyping and innovative design. The project’s signature double-height atrium, visible behind a sweeping glass curtainwall, is designed as the heart of the building: a light-filled nexus for social and collaborative activity that embodies our commitment to openness and interdisciplinary exchange.

Central to our design approach was the integration of a mass timber gridshell, crafted from glued-laminated timber (glulam) with precise steel connections.

This expressive structural element not only supports the building’s dynamic glass façade but also celebrates sustainable materiality and the elegant articulation of unseen engineering. The juxtaposition of timber, steel, and glass is intended to balance warmth and transparency, creating both an inviting atmosphere and a high-performance envelope.

The façade itself explores the possibilities of cold-warped glass, realised through cassette-style panels that respond intuitively to the building’s complex geometry. Diagonal exterior fins provide both visual interest and enhanced environmental performance, aligning with our philosophy that form and function must advance in tandem.

From the earliest phases, we adopted a collaborative process – partnering with engineers, fabricators, and speciality consultants to test ideas, refine details, and ensure constructability without compromising our vision. Building this form required precision – each joint custom-mitred and dry-fit.

The Resnick Sustainability Centre, with its transformative façade and richly detailed atrium, stands not only as a testament to architectural ingenuity but as a living platform for sustainability, collaboration, and discovery at Caltech. The project exemplifies CannonDesign’s belief that architecture can both inspire and perform – advancing institutional goals and environmental stewardship in equal measure.