Size:
25,474 sq ft

Client:
Cade Foundation

Location:
Gainesville, FL

Completed:
October 2017

Architect:
GWWO Architects

Structural Engineer:
Thornton Tomasetti

Cade Museumfor Creativity & Invention

Named for Dr. James Robert Cade, a professor of renal (kidney) medicine at the University of Florida and the lead inventor of the sports drink Gatorade, the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention is devoted to sharing the wonders of invention with visitors of all ages. Influenced by the expanding spirals of Fibonacci’s “Golden Ratio,” the grand 25,474 square foot museum features interactive exhibits, temporary exhibit space, a hands-on Creativity Lab and Fab Lab, a gift shop, an outdoor educational terrace, and sculpture garden. Designed by GWWO Architects and built by Oelrich Construction, the new $9.3 million museum is truly exceptional.

The Fibonacci sequence, ever present in nature and science, was a key inspiration for the museum’s organization and proportions. The building unwinds as does a Fibonacci spiral, similar to leaves on a stem or curves of a nautilus shell. There are only two 90 degree angles in the entire building.

The building unwinds like a Fibonacci spiral with only two 90 degree angles in the entire building.

The Mission

The mission of the Cade Museum is to transform communities by inspiring and equipping future inventors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. The Fab Lab encourages visitors to build robots and blast rockets. This interactive fabrication area hosts an array of computers, 3D-printers and scanners, laser cutters, soldering stations, hand tools, and everyday objects. The Cantilevered Space is an open, glass-encased area for socials and mixers—visitors can overlook the natural expanse of Depot Park.

The Gatorade Gallery features original components from the laboratory where Dr. Cade invented the famous sports drink. Visitors can learn about the science of electrolytes and sports medicine. Magnetic liquids and amorphous metals are on display in the Gallery West, where guests can experience traveling exhibits on topics like material science.

The Challenge

Located on the west side of Depot Park, the new multi-story museum was constructed on an industrial brownfield site. One of the site’s biggest construction challenges was overcoming the brownfield site’s lingering coal tar contamination. Our team coordinated extensively with local environmental regulatory agencies and implemented several safety measures during construction. The Cade Museum represents a fusion of past and future. It has already become a major economic catalyst for the region.

Recognition

The Cade Museum has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the Engineering News Record’s “Best Overall” Regional Project of the Year Award for the Southeast United States! The Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention was selected among 90 ENR entries from across the Southeast including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee – learn more at ENR Southeast.