The Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult opened the Catapult Innovation Centre in December of 2019 in Newport, Wales. Designed as a locus for the region’s growing high-tech industry, the facility provides sophisticated cleanrooms, a design studio, open-plan offices, a boardroom, conference and breakout rooms, a collaborative amphitheater, an advanced packaging suite, and R&D labs for photonics, radio frequencies, and power electronics.
Gannon University is building the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge (I-HACK) in Erie, Pa. The $20 million project involves the renovation and expansion of an existing six-story tower to accommodate leading-edge programs in cybersecurity, cyber engineering, healthcare systems, computer-based applications, and business management. The first $13 million construction phase includes the creation of an entrance lobby on the first floor, with the second floor accommodating the Pierre McCormick Cyber Learning Center.
The University of Strathclyde is renovating Wolfson Hall to house its department of biomedical engineering. Designed by McLean Architects and Wellwood Leslie Architects, the £15.5 million project will create new teaching and research labs, flexible instructional venues, engaging spaces for interaction and collaboration, and additional offices for faculty, staff, and graduate students.
George Mason University is planning to build a digital innovation campus in Arlington, Va. Creating a collaborative hub for research, education, and entrepreneurship, the project includes the demolition of an existing structure and the construction of a 360,500-gsf mixed-use facility and parking garage. Designed by EYP Architecture & Engineering, the $200 million building will house the School of Computing, the Institute for Digital InnovAtion (IDIA), and corporate R&D labs with co-working spaces.
The University of California, Davis has selected Wexford Science + Technology and GMH Capital Partners to develop the first phase of Aggie Square in Sacramento. The two firms will finance, design, construct, and own the facilities, which will include 250,000 sf of classroom and co-working space, 500,000 sf of engineering, science, and technology space, 30,000 sf of ground-floor public space, and approximately 200 housing units.
Stevens Institute of Technology opened the $68 million Gateway Academic Center in December of 2019 in Hoboken, N.J. Designed by WRT, the 89,500-sf teaching and research facility is comprised of two buildings connected by a glass skybridge. The four-story complex provides 10 technology-rich classrooms, 13 labs, 45 faculty offices, conference rooms, reception halls, areas for student organizations, and multipurpose flex spaces.
Virginia Tech is renovating and expanding Holden Hall in Blacksburg. The existing 42,100-gsf building houses engineering programs in mining, minerals, and materials science. The project includes a complete renovation of the central structure, as well as demolition of two single-story wings and construction of a three-story wing and a four-story wing.
Boston University broke ground on the $288 million Center for Computing & Data Sciences in December of 2019. Located on the Charles River Campus, the 19-story structure will comprise a four-story podium topped by 13 floors, with MEP systems located on additional basement and penthouse levels. Collocating the departments of statistics, mathematics, and computer science, the 350,000-sf building will include terraced platforms with whiteboard walls and a collaboration ramp to promote interaction and innovation.
Louisiana Tech University opened the $40 million Integrated Engineering and Science Building in December of 2019 in Ruston. Designed by Bledsoe Architects, the three-story, 130,000-sf facility offers engaging spaces for project-based learning such as prototyping suites, fabrication labs, and design studios.
The Ohio State University is planning to construct two collocated research facilities in its West Campus innovation district in Columbus. Designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners and Moody Nolan, the 305,000-sf Interdisciplinary Research Facility will provide a vivarium, support spaces, and wet, computational, and core labs for programs in engineering and medical research.
Florida Atlantic University hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for its $35 million Neuroscience Building in Jupiter in November of 2019. Construction will begin in summer of 2020 on the facility, which will provide shared research labs, faculty offices, a business incubator, and instructional space for programs in neuroscience, biotechnology, bioengineering, bioinformatics, and chemistry. The 58,000-sf project is strategically sited on the John D.
Michigan State University broke ground on the $85 million Doug Meijer Innovation Building in Grand Rapids in November of 2019. Designed by SmithGroup, the 205,000-sf facility will house multiple tenants including Spectrum Health, BAMF Health, and MSU's College of Human Medicine. The collaborative six-story building will enable the discovery and commercialization of new medical devices, artificial intelligence technologies, and treatments for cancer and dementia.
Amazon is planning to construct a $40 million robotics innovation hub in Westborough, Mass. The 350,000-sf facility will enable teams of researchers, engineers, and technicians to design, build, program, and test robots, including self-driving units for order fulfillment and warehouse management. The project will house R&D labs, manufacturing space, corporate offices, and a distribution center. Completion is expected in 2021.
Auburn University broke ground in November of 2019 on the $22 million Advanced Structural Testing Laboratory in Auburn, Ala. Designed by Chambless King Architects, the 41,500-sf building will provide the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering with a wind testing facility, a concrete materials research lab, a 4,700-cubic-foot geotechnical test chamber, and a high-bay lab with floors and walls capable of handling extreme structural testing loads.
North Carolina A&T State University is constructing the $90 million Engineering Research & Innovation Center in Greensboro. Designed by EYP Architecture & Engineering to promote experiential learning, the 130,000-sf teaching and research building will accommodate programs including cybersecurity, energy science, and health technology.
