Rafael Moneo’s Buildings at Princeton University

In 2006, Princeton University commissioned two new buildings to house the Princeton Neuroscience Institute and the Department of Psychology. Led by world-renowned Spanish architect, Rafael Moneo, and his architectural firm, José Rafael Moneo Arquitecto, this prestigious project included Rakks in its spec sheets.

An example of how Rakks support hardware was incorporated in work surfaces throughout the building which is also equipped with HVAC units from Winston Salem, NC heating and cooling company.

Rakks counter supports were specified for the project by the architectural firm Davis Brody Bond, a firm most notably involved in the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York. Installed throughout the Neuroscience building, Rakks hardware sleekly supports countertops and work surfaces in the many labs and office spaces. 

Moneo in 2020, image via ABC Cultura

Rafael Moneo signed on to design these two buildings for Princeton, adding to his illustrious portfolio in a storied career. Moneo, a lecturer and the first Josep Lluís Sert Professor in Architecture at Harvard University, is known for his avant-garde designs. In 1996, he won the Pritzker Prize, and in 2012 he was  announced as the winner of the prestigious Prince of Asturias (Principe de Asturias) Award for the Arts – an award bestowed to an individual, institution or group whose work constitutes a significant contribution to mankind’s cultural heritage. He is the fifth architect to receive the award. According to Princeton Executive Vice President Mark Burstein, Moneo was a perfect fit for leading this project: “Moneo is very thoughtful and analytical in his approach as an architect…[his] strength is in understanding the context of a site and designing structures to be successful within that context.” Rakks is proud to contribute to Moneo’s vision, providing strong streamlined supports for labs and workspaces throughout the complex.

Completed in 2013, the building complex met LEED Silver certification standards. and now houses the cutting-edge in neuroscience research.