The Life Sciences Institute (LSI) at the University of Michigan is a premier 235,000 sf research facility consisting of six floors and a mechanical penthouse. Designed by SmithGroup, Inc., it is one of a complex of buildings in the Palmer Drive Development. The facility was designed to accommodate the newly created Life Sciences Institute, whose purpose is to enhance basic and translational research and education in the life sciences at the University of Michigan and to promote biosciences in the State of Michigan.

The Life Sciences Institute was evaluated against LEED 1.0 criteria during the design process to see how well the University’s design guidelines for laboratories fit the goals of sustainability. The University required that satisfaction of any LEED criteria would need to be accomplished within the project budget and schedule. LSI was able to come within two points of certification, even though LEED was not designed for such a complex laboratory building. This is a significant accomplishment for a major laboratory building designed to maximize the research space within the facility.