Higher Education

The Ohio State University opened the Multispecies Animal Learning Center (MALC) and a new dairy in Columbus in January of 2026. The $60 million complex was designed by Wellogy as an integrated hub for teaching and research that enables the next generation of animal sciences education. Spanning 100,000 sf, MALC provides the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences with leading-edge classrooms and demonstration areas where students participate in a dynamic pedagogy of experiential engagement.

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 University of Nebraska at Kearney opened the $95 million Health Science Education Center II in January of 2026. Created in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the 110,000-sf facility addresses a pressing need for more healthcare providers in underserved areas. The architectural vision of RDG Planning & Design created a dynamic environment for programs in medicine, nursing, and allied health.

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.

In a higher education landscape facing shifting enrollment trends, rising costs, and an uncertain future, institutions must rethink how they use their physical spaces—not just as real estate, but as engines of purpose. And rather than traditional return on investment (ROI), they should employ “Return on Mission” to evaluate their success rather than metrics like net-to-gross ratios, utilization rates, and physical occupancy to assess their spaces. Relying solely on ROI falls short of capturing what truly matters: the activity inside the space and the value it generates.

Vanderbilt University is expanding its national footprint by establishing an academic campus in San Francisco. The former California College of the Arts (CCA) site will be transformed into a new destination for education, collaboration, and global engagement beginning in 2027. Serving approximately 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the project represents the next step in the university's strategic growth and builds on recent initiatives in New York City and West Palm Beach.

The University of Texas at El Paso celebrated the opening of Texas Western Hall in January of 2026. Serving as the new home for the College of Liberal Arts, the $110 million facility was designed by Ayers Saint Gross and Mijares-Mora Architects as a dynamic hub for teaching and campus life. The 124,725-sf complex provides state-of-the-art learning environments including 30 classrooms, 20 collaboration rooms, and a 150-seat auditorium equipped with advanced audiovisual modalities.

Christopher Newport University opened the Science and Engineering Research Center in January of 2026 in Newport News, Va. Catalyzing innovation and interdisciplinary exchange, the 83,000-sf building was designed by Glavé & Holmes Architecture to provide state-of-the art environments for learning and discovery. The Robotics and Autonomous Systems Lab offers a dedicated assembly zone alongside a two-story open area equipped with a motion capture system for the testing of drones and other technologies.

The University of Virginia is planning to create the Emmet Ivy Corridor Student Housing project in Charlotteville. Capstone Development Partners is leading the design-build team in collaboration with Elkus Manfredi Architects and joint-venture contractors Hoar Construction and Hourigan. The complex will include three new structures totaling 310,000 sf and reaching five and six stories in height.

The University of South Carolina is constructing the School of Medicine Columbia as the centerpiece of its $300 million Health Sciences Campus. Supporting the institution’s evolving approach to medical pedagogy and discovery, the 330,000-sf building will feature active learning classrooms, leading-edge simulation spaces, wet and dry labs, and a health science library.

Ancora is planning to construct a vibrant research and innovation hub in South Bend, Ind. Created in partnership with University of Notre Dame, the City of South Bend, and the State of Indiana, Colfax Corner will bring together academic experts, startups, established companies, and students to shorten the pathway from idea to impact. A five-story facility will offer 202,000 sf of laboratories, offices, and gathering venues.

The ideal lab building can flex over time to accommodate each new generation of researchers, with minimal disruption and infrastructure change. Using an approach called the “resilient chassis,” labs are grouped by typologies and placed around a common spine or “chassis” of mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) systems based on zoning and capacity needs. The best location for each lab is determined by grouping labs together that share specialized requirements, such as vibration sensitivities, noise restrictions, lighting or electrical requirements, and instrumentation needs. 

The University of California, Davis is constructing the Lynda and Steward Resnick Agricultural Innovation Center on its main campus. The $66.4 million facility will enable the exploration of new ways of balancing food production with leading sustainability practices while advancing the global agricultural industry with scalable solutions. Designed by Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign to drive collaboration, the 32,000-sf building will feature diverse and dynamic environments for learning and research. 

Florida State University opened a new home for its Herbert Wertheim College of Business in January of 2026 in Tallahassee. Designed by Goody Clancy, Legacy Hall aims to catalyze excellence in education, research, and innovation. The $160 million facility provides a 300-seat auditorium, multiple 100-seat lecture halls, leading-edge classrooms, and dedicated zones to forge connections between faculty, students, and industry partners.