The facility created with the U Project provides both office space and space for the partially-automated fabrication of Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) chips. Despite its massive size, the building engages the occupants with “human-only” areas and design elements that reflect the processes and technology with-in. The ziggurat-esque structure of the facade recalls the corporate imagery of Samsung while harkening back to reverential ancient forms of architecture.

The U Project successfully established Samsung’s first (and only) semiconductor plant outside of Korea, and still serves as the cornerstone of its Austin campus. At the time, the 136,000 square-foot Class 1 Clean Room held the distinction of being the largest of its type in the world. GSC’s design team, in conjunction with the City of Austin, helped establish code standards for the design of semiconductor facilities which were incorporated into the 1997 Uniform Building Code, and later, the International Building Code.

The U Project was the first collaboration between GS&C and Samsung, a relationship that still exists today. The high level of interaction between the client and design team was a necessity on a building type that had previously not been attempted at such a scale. This allowed for a more informed design, with the end result being a building that continues to excel at serving the needs of the client.