As the architectural and engineering design team for the Ag Alumni Seed Phenotyping Facility (AASPF), we immersed ourselves in the specialized requirements for plant phenotyping and controlled growth environments. Our approach involved close collaboration with equipment designers and manufacturers to develop innovative, site-specific solutions, moving beyond traditional ‘cut-and-paste’ methods.

 

Our team facilitated regular, comprehensive design meetings with key stakeholders to build a broad understanding and identify interdisciplinary solutions for new research challenges. We addressed the complexities of constructability and life safety, integrating novel research methodologies and advanced construction materials to overcome the site’s unique challenges.

 

The result is a state-of-the-art precast-concrete-on-steel facility, providing highly uniform growth conditions for precise control and replication of experimental variables that are difficult to manage in field settings.

 

Beyond benefiting plant biologists, the facility offers cross-disciplinary workspace for continuous R&D in imaging sensors, phenotyping methods, experimental design, statistical analysis, and algorithm development. Collaboration with both public and private sector institutions enhances the facility’s capabilities, driving advancements in plant sciences research.

 

This cutting-edge facility is one of the first of its kind to house growth rooms and imaging chambers capable of accommodating mature, full-sized corn plants, positioning it at the forefront of agricultural research and innovation.