In the summer of 2018, Cornell University engaged Chiang O’Brien to provide design services for a concept space study of Snee Hall. Primarily, the study developed a functional space program for the entire Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) department, tracking against Cornell Space Guidelines. The study optimized and defragmented the existing space organization in Snee Hall to determine whether the EAS department, including the EAS faculty and staff in Bradfield Hall, could consolidate into a single building. A complete analysis of the existing spaces in Snee and Bradfield and creating a comprehensive functional space program for the entire department was required.

In 2020, Chiang | O’Brien was engaged by Cornell University to provide design services for the consolidation and renovation of select areas in Snee and Olin Halls. The first phase included an enabling project in nearby Olin Hall–the relocation of a principal investigator (PI) and an interior renovation with new offices and a conference room. This enabling renovation allowed for significant office and lab renovations in Snee Hall, including an atmospheric science map room/teaching space, collaborative study space, and research lab spaces.

The second phase is a renovation of laboratories in Olin Hall, which further enables space in Snee Hall for an electronics lab, a high-bay lab, a minus 40-degree lab, and an office for a newly hired PI. These projects also required enabling work, including relocating a microscopy teaching lab in Snee Hall.