Situated within Princeton University’s natural sciences neighborhood, a new, 248,000-square-foot, 2-building complex was developed to house the University’s Neuroscience Institute and Department of Psychology. The Rafael Moneo-designed, LEED Silver certified complex centralizes facilities and resources for studying neuroscience and behavioral science and features state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities, including cutting edge optical imaging and microscopy facilities.

The designers at Poulin + Morris worked with the design architects and the University in creating a comprehensive environmental graphics, donor recognition, and wayfinding sign program for the new facility. The exterior identification consists of carved marble inlaid into the glass facade of the buildings. The interior wayfinding sign program reflects the buildings’ glass facade which features custom-made, ribbed-glass panels hanging from exterior walls on painted-steel frames. Identification signs for classrooms, offices, laboratories, and floor directories are mounted to interior walls as stainless steel letters set on a baseline and layered over sandblasted glass panels. The layering of the signs and the method of mounting them allows light to pass through the panels for a subtle shadow effect.

The donor recognition program adds a bold graphic element to an otherwise minimalist and subdued interior environment. Situated in the lobby where the Neuroscience Institute and the Department of Psychology buildings conjoin, vibrant red walls display donor recognition information in white typography silkscreened directly onto the walls. Utilizing the same typographic standards as the wayfinding signs, the donor walls also feature the iconic Princeton shield.

Neuroscience’s study of the brain and psychology’s focus on behavior are united disciplines at Princeton.
The Neuroscience Institute and Peretsman-Scully Hall physically brings the 2 departments together—creating separate identities for the 2 distinct areas of study while facilitating cross-disciplinary work.