The University of Chicago will initiate construction on the $215 million William Eckhardt Research Center in September of 2011. The 265,000-sf facility will provide laboratories for astronomy, chemistry, physics, and astrophysics. Supporting advanced nanoscale reseach and development, the seven-story project will house the Institute for Molecular Engineering and will include two floors below ground. The Institute for Molecular Engineering will be operated in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory. The Eckhardt Center will provide integrated research offices, conference rooms, interaction space, an atrium, and low vibration cleanrooms and molecular imaging suites. LEED Gold sustainable design certification will be sought for the facility, which will feature chilled beams for reduced energy consumption. The design team includes HOK and Jamie Carpenter. Completion is expected in February of 2015.
University of Chicago Plans Eckhardt Research Center
Chicago, Ill.
