Laboratory: Research

From cortisone to CAT scans, the future of medicine has often arrived first at the Mayo Clinic. The tradition continues today with the fit-up of a new headquarters for regenerative biotherapeutics adjacent to the research center’s Rochester, Minn., campus. The fourth floor of the recently built Discovery Square building, Two Discovery Square, had been earmarked originally for office space, but after COVID hit, the developer offered the opportunity to convert some of the office space to laboratory space. Mayo Clinic had been planning to build a Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics and saw an opportunity to lease the 18,000-sf space at Discovery Square and convert it for this cutting-edge biomanufacturing facility.  

The University of Maryland, Baltimore is constructing a dynamic home for the School of Social Work that will equip the next generation of change-makers to create new solutions for key societal challenges. Designed by Ballinger, the $125 million facility will feature modern learning environments that prioritize openness, transparency, and inclusivity. The 127,400-gsf building will consolidate activities previously dispersed in six separate locations, as well as accommodating the Master of Social Work and Doctor of Philosophy programs. 

Facing the mandate to grow university research expenditures to $1 billion by 2028, Arizona State University’s (ASU) Research Space Planning group was charged with determining how much lab space would be required to meet that goal and what the cost would be. Under the leadership of senior director Erik Halle, the planning group engaged in a multi-stage process analyzing utilization and cost data, benchmarking, and incorporating user feedback to arrive at the answer.  Introducing new practices like improved lab-to-gross-square-foot ratios and the recovery of underutilized space, among other measures, culminated in meeting the $1 billion target almost three years early without additional construction.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) is constructing the Science and Health Sciences Building to expand undergraduate research capacity and create an anchor for a new innovation cluster. Designed by HOK and Potter Lawson, the $340.3 million structure will provide dynamic facilities for STEM courses and programs in nursing, psychology, pre-professional health sciences, public health, and environmental studies.

The University of Nevada, Reno is planning to break ground in fall of 2026 on a $137 million life sciences building. Located in the Mathewson University Gateway District, the 89,000-sf facility will provide leading-edge environments for both the College of Science and the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources. The technology-rich center will feature 18 research labs for programs in chemical ecology, neuroscience, and molecular and cellular biology, along with associated support areas and offices.

The University of California, Los Angeles is constructing the UCLA Research Park to create an engine of innovation and economic growth for Southern California and beyond. The visionary project is transforming the former Westside Pavilion shopping mall into a dynamic destination where basic scientists join with industry experts to advance discovery and commercialization. Acquired by UCLA in December of 2023, the property encompasses more than 1.3 million gsf on 9.2 acres, with two main buildings spanning a total of 700,000 sf connected by an enclosed pedestrian bridge.

Auburn University broke ground in February of 2026 on the Barbara Drummond Thorne Academic and Research Facility in Auburn, Ala. This vibrant new home for the College of Human Sciences will house nationally ranked and recognized programs in global studies, interior design, philanthropy and nonprofit studies, nutrition and dietetics, human development and family studies, and apparel merchandising, design, and production management.

Colorado State University is approaching the completion of construction on the 420,000-sf Veterinary Hospital and Education Complex (VHEC) in Fort Collins. The $230 million redevelopment project was designed by Clark & Enersen to enable a dynamic pedagogy that focuses on team-based learning, hands-on training, and strategies for personal resilience. A 213,000-sf addition will house a new primary care clinic providing medical, dental, ophthalmological, and pharmacy services, as well as emergency, urgent, and critical care.

Harris-Stowe State University broke ground in January of 2026 on a $62.3 million STEM building in St. Louis. This future-ready hub for learning and discovery will advance the University’s mission to prepare students for high-demand careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Designed by LJC, the 82,443-sf facility will include sophisticated teaching and research labs, maker spaces, and multifunctional classrooms that can be configured to mirror real-world work environments.

The University of New Mexico is planning to create a new home for the School of Medicine in Albuquerque. The 330,000-sf building will act as a gateway to UNM's North Campus, which accommodates the existing Health Sciences Center and UNM Hospital. Shaped by the vision of ZGF Architects and McClain + Yu Architecture & Design, the transformational development is expected to double enrollment capacity over the next decade to address the demand for more providers across the region.

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls opened the Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) in January of 2026. Designed by BWBR Architects, the $117 million building features immersive environments for hands-on discovery. The three-story, 134,560-gsf structure offers a maker space, active learning studios, 12 instructional labs, and three wet research labs. This nexus of experiential education also provides 32 undergraduate research spaces, an optics lab, computational labs, offices, and conference rooms.

William & Mary opened the Integrated Science Center 4 (ISC4) in January of 2026 in Williamsburg, Va. Designed by Goody Clancy with Baskervill as interior design architect, the $103 million facility provides a vibrant home for the School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics, the university's first new school in 50 years. The visionary project included 124,000 gsf of new construction, augmented by 10,000 gsf of renovated space to establish a link to the existing ISC complex.

The University of Victoria is expanding the footprint of the Department of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) with two highly sustainable facilities. The CAD 89.6 million project includes the construction of a six-story addition to the ECS building to provide biomedical, geotechnical, materials, building science, and environmental and hydraulics labs. Featuring active learning venues and undergraduate design studios, the development will also house graduate student workstations, faculty collaboration spaces, computer labs, and departmental offices.

The 1,235-acre University of Maryland (UMD) campus in College Park sits just eight miles from the nation’s capital. Founded in 1856 as a land-grant institution, the university offers 300 degree programs through 12 colleges serving 41,000 students and—together with the University of Maryland, Baltimore—has $1.4 billion in sponsored research expenditures. Over the past decade, the school has experienced many shifts, including joining the Big Ten Conference and receiving its largest donation in university history.

California State University, Bakersfield broke ground on the Energy Innovation Building (EIB) in January of 2026. Designed by AC Martin, the 56,000-sf facility will advance STEM education and accelerate the creation of a highly skilled workforce in the region. The three-story structure will provide more than 10,000 sf of teaching lab space, over 8,000 sf of research space, 1,500 sf of student collaboration space, and 20 offices for faculty and staff.