Architectural precast concrete and structural precast, prestressed concrete combine effectively to frame the new $126 million, three-story, Ciba-Geigy Life Science Building in Summit, New Jersey. A major feature of the building is the use of interstitial pretensioned Vierendeel trusses which permit large column-free spaces and thus much needed flexibility in the layout of floors. The result is a cost-effective, totally prefabricated building which is functional and attractive. The purpose of this article is to present the design concept and structural features of the system, and to describe the production, handling and erection highlights of the precast concrete elements.
