gemological institute of America
“GIA’s new campus integrates their laboratory, research, and educational facilities into a new state-of-the-art 96,000 square foot Campus spread over three adjoining floors.”
– Jeff Knoll, Design Director
Inspired by the gemstone, the angular and multi-faceted forms in the design are accompanied by a warm, muted color palette that conveys a sense of solidity and longevity.
The striking reception area is demarcated by an educational video display that utilizes frameless technology to give the impression of floating on glass.
In reception, visitors are greeted by a back-lit 21-foot Italian Onyx desk, marble floors, and a custom rug that contains a subtly woven pattern of diamonds.
A range of natural materials and textures foster a tranquil and contemplative work environment for educators, researchers, graders, and students. Back-lit stripes of vivid colors represent five particular types of gems.
There are two secure laboratories. The certified ISO Level Clean Room maintains highly purified standards for air to create a consistent environment for gemological research, free from outside elemental interference or disturbance. The other laboratory houses the gemological grading, service, and identification teams.
The connecting staircase between the fourth and fifth floors features statuary bronze finishes, along with three pedestals supporting large jasper specimens from Madagascar.
The educational facility contains eight classrooms, two of which are dedicated to the jewelry arts. The study lounge’s pendant light fixtures reflect the microscopes essential to the study of gems and complement the angles, undulating furnishings, and the textured stone-clad wall also found in the same space.
A fully integrated audio-visual system displays content from internal and external sources, and connects the campus to other GIA facilities across the globe.
The newly-added elevator in the café is encased behind back-lit textured blue glass with a microscopic photograph of a gem, providing a splash of color.
The café and terrace allows faculty, researchers, and students to gather and socialize, and also to host special events like graduation ceremonies.