Cornell University Plans Engineering Expansion and Renovation

Cornell University is planning to expand Duffield Hall to create a vibrant home for the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering in Ithaca, N.Y. Supported by a $100 million donation, the project will add 130,000 sf of new and renovated space. Upon completion, the 300,000-sf facility will feature an embedded, low-vibration research wing for quantum computing on a built-out basement level, complemented by three stories above grade. The sophisticated structure will also provide additional laboratories focused on AI, robotics, and semiconductor materials and devices. 

On the first two floors, classrooms, gathering spaces, and teaching labs will foster knowledge exchange and interaction. Research labs and smaller instructional venues will be dispersed across all three upper levels. Duffield Hall serves as the home of the Cornell Nanoscale Science and Technology Facility, the PARADIM Thin Film Growth Facility, and portions of the Cornell Center for Materials Research. 

The sustainable development is aligned with the Ithaca Energy Code Supplement (IECS), the city's green building policy. Electricity will be sourced from four regional solar farms, and a high-performance building envelope will reduce energy consumption. The project team includes RMF Engineering as civil engineer, Silman as structural engineer, and BR+A Consulting Engineers as MEP engineer. Klopfer Martin Design Group is the landscape architect. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and completion is anticipated in 2027.