University of Miami Builds Frost Institute of Chemical and Molecular Science

The University of Miami is constructing the $60 million Frost Institute of Chemical and Molecular Science in Coral Gables, Fla. Designed by Harvard Jolly Architecture, the five-story, 94,000-sf facility will include a central gathering area, seminar rooms, a microscopy imaging suite, innovation labs, and investigator offices. The highly flexible structure will feature open wet lab environments with moveable benches and fixtures. Overhead service carriers will supply power and gas to the lab benches for optimal reconfigurability. LEED Gold sustainable design certification will be sought for the collaborative building, which will initially have shell space on the two upper floors to accommodate future growth. General contractor Skanska USA Building began construction on the facility in December of 2020 and occupancy is expected in summer of 2022. The project team includes structural engineer Bliss & Nyitray and plumbing engineer William R. Nash.