NBBJ Launches New Partnership Program with Leading Researchers

SEATTLE, June 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- NBBJ, a global architecture and design firm, announced today the launch of a new fellowship program that will integrate external research experts with the firm's design practice, beginning in 2014 with developmental molecular biologist John Medina.

NBBJ's fellows will be selected to partner with the firm on its professional development curricula and on collaborative project work in order to further the firm's capability in applying relevant, emerging research in the fields of social science, neuroscience, materials science and other fields to the design of buildings and cities. Future fellows may include visiting senior practice leaders in other design professions, civic leaders, professors, post-doctoral researchers and doctoral researchers.

John Medina has devoted his research career to understanding how the human brain reacts to and organizes information. He is an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine and author of the New York Times bestseller Brain Rules. He will engage with NBBJ's design and leadership teams over the next year to explore the impact of brain science and its applications for how we design and experience environments. The program is led by NBBJ Partner Richard Dallam and the 2014 effort will focus on the healthcare and corporate building sectors.  

When announcing the fellowship program, NBBJ Managing Partner Steve McConnell described what the company sees as extraordinary opportunities to improve the impact of design for people and communities — such as a greater ability to harness research and data for interdisciplinary collaboration, improving the science of design, organizational performance and enhancing the human experience.

"R&D is fundamental to our firm, so that we can continue offering clients the most responsive and resilient designs possible," Richard Dallam said. "By drawing on the expertise of external fellows like John, and plugging him into our project teams, we'll be able to explore new areas of research that will change the way we think about our work and the spaces we create."

"The intersection between the cognitive neurosciences and the built environment is one of the most fascinating and untapped areas of research," John Medina said. "For years, NBBJ has been at the forefront of innovative healthcare design and corporate office environments. Disruptive creativity is a part of their corporate DNA. This fellowship is only the latest example of their willingness to push that envelope. Architects don't often have long conversations with brain scientists — yet that's exactly what we're doing! We have an exciting opportunity this year to merge our expertise to create real impact in these arenas."

About NBBJ

NBBJ creates innovative places and experiences for organizations worldwide, and designs communities, buildings and environments that enhance people's lives. Founded in 1943, NBBJ is an industry leader in healthcare facilities and has a strong presence in the corporate, commercial, civic, science and education and sports markets. Named one of the most innovative architecture firms by Fast Company and the first architecture firm invited to the World Economic Forum's Community of Global Growth Companies, NBBJ has won numerous awards and has been recognized as one of the "greenest" architecture firms in the United States. NBBJ has more than 750 employees in 10 offices worldwide in Beijing, Boston, London, Los Angeles, New York, Columbus, Pune, San Francisco, Seattle and Shanghai. Recent clients include Alibaba, Amazon, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Boeing, Cambridge University, Cleveland Clinic, GlaxoSmithKline, Google, Massachusetts General Hospital, Reebok, Salk Institute, Samsung, Stanford University, Starbucks, Telenor, Tencent and the Wellcome Trust. http://www.nbbj.com

About John Medina

John J. Medina is a developmental molecular biologist with special research interests in the isolation and characterization of genes involved in human brain development and the genetics of psychiatric disorders. Medina has spent most of his professional life as an analytical research consultant, working primarily in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries on research issues related to mental health. He is an affiliate professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington, School of Medicine. Medina is the author of nine books including the New York Times bestseller Brain Rules and National Bestseller Brain Rules for Baby.  http://www.johnmedina.com/   

SOURCE NBBJ