University of Maine Breaks Ground on Green Engineering and Materials Building

The University of Maine broke ground in October of 2024 on the $81 million Green Engineering and Materials (GEM) building in Orono. Designed by SMRT Architects & Engineers and Grimshaw Architects, the 50,000-sf project will house the Factory of the Future, a test bed for large-format additive manufacturing. Academic spaces for the Maine College of Engineering and Computing will be collocated with active research environments, offering unique opportunities for immersive learning.

An expansive atrium known as the GEM Gateway will provide communal settings where visitors and large groups can gather. A multipurpose room that overlooks the 3D printing area will encourage faculty-student collaborations, as well as serving as a venue for presentations, lectures, and group and individual study. Two large manufacturing bays will enable the creation of bio-based housing solutions, marine vessels, and components for civil infrastructure and renewable energy. Supported by government and industry partnerships, the transformative development will also accommodate training initiatives to equip the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow with new competencies.

Built with mass timber, the flexible facility will incorporate advanced systems to meet the requirements of sensitive instrumentation, while remaining adaptable to future technological advancements. The project is being delivered by Consigli Construction and Thornton Tomasetti is providing engineering services. Completion is expected in 2026.