Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory

At the frontier of particle physics research, Urbahn led a consortium of four architectural and engineering firms in master planning and designing the National Accelerator Laboratory, home to America’s most powerful atomic collider, a 400 billion electron-volt marvel that pushed the boundaries of human understanding. Under the inspired guidance of Director Dr. Robert Wilson, the project transcended conventional laboratory design to create something extraordinary: a harmonious marriage of cutting-edge science and environmental stewardship. Spread across 6,800 acres of carefully curated landscape, the complex embraces the raw beauty of prairie wilderness, complete with roaming bison herds, while weaving together artistic installations, public recreation spaces, and a thoughtfully designed residential community.

The crown jewel of this scientific sanctuary is Wilson Hall, a testament to the union of architecture and discovery. Rising 16 stories into the Illinois sky, this cathedral of science, as Dr. Wilson described it, takes form as an elegant A-shaped tower reminiscent of the St. Peter’s Cathedral in Beauvais, France. Two distinct structures are united by a series of suspended bridges – a physical metaphor for the connection between theory and experiment, and a symbol of scientific advancement. Monumental 80-foot windows flood the atrium with natural light, illuminating a rich program of high-energy laboratories, research facilities, and collaborative spaces. This architectural achievement, along with Urbahn’s design of the Meson, Muon, and Proton laboratories, exemplifies how scientific ambition can be elevated through design that honors both human dignity and natural splendor.