Industry News

The University of California at Santa Cruz is building the $61-million Engineering Building 2, a 90,000-sf research and teaching facility. The facility will house studies in bioinformatics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, engineering, statistics, and biomolecular engineerining. Slated for completion in fall 2004, a year earlier than anticipated, the building will include an auditorium and 20,000 sf of space for two of Gov. Gray Davis’ California Institutes for Science and Innovation.

The Smithsonian Institution has awarded Hensel Phelps Construction of Greeley, Colo., the $22-million contract for the first phase of the Patent Office Building renovation project. Construction on the Patent Office Building, which houses the American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, began in May 2003. The project includes demolition and installation of underground utilities.

SLM Corp., known as Sallie Mae or Student Loan Marketing Association, broke ground on its new nine-story headquarters in Reston on April 29, 2003. The 240,000-sf facility was designed by Boggs & Partners and WDG Architects. The $40-million facility is slated for occupancy in July 2004. The highlight of the building is the “tower of learning”, a lighted glass staircase extending to all nine floors of the structure.

The University of Texas Southwest Medical Center is engaged in the demolition and renovation of 24,000 sf of advanced cell biology workspace in Dallas. Omniplan Architects of Dallas designed the project, which will be completed by contractor McCarthy in two distinct phases.

Washington University has recently completed the 114,000-sf Whitaker Biomedical Engineering facility in St. Louis. The $33-million facility houses 22,000 sf of wet and dry laboratory space, including 18 advanced technology labs, and 3,000 sf of vivarium space. The structure also includes a 240-seat auditorium and 45 faculty and student offices. The project was designed by architect SBRA of Boston and built by contractor McCarthy.