Higher Education

The University of Texas at Dallas is constructing a 200,000-gsf engineering facility on its Richardson campus. Designed by SmithGroup JJR to promote collaboration, the project will provide 120,000 assignable square feet for the Department of Mechanical Engineering including research labs, teaching labs, classrooms, faculty offices, student work areas, and a 300-seat auditorium. The building will offer a mix of high-bay, wet, dry, and core laboratories to support research programs in energy, robotics, and nanobiotechnology.

Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) and the City University of New York (CUNY) are developing a joint facility in New York City. MSK’s 23-story outpatient tower, the 750,000-gsf David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care, will feature advanced surgical suites, radiation therapy rooms, and dedicated space for clinical trials. CUNY’s six-story, 400,000-gsf (336,000-asf) Hunter College Science and Health Professions Building will provide sophisticated simulation training suites, teaching and research labs, a technology-rich library, faculty offices, and a vivarium.

 The University of Florida opened the $67 million Joseph Hernandez Hall in Gainesville in April of 2017. Designed by Stantec to accommodate programs in chemistry and chemical biology, the five-story, 111,500-sf facility features a general chemistry lab capable of accommodating 256 students at one time, as well as graduate and faculty research labs, interactive undergraduate teaching labs, classrooms, offices, conference rooms, and core research facilities.

The University of Houston-Clear Lake broke ground in April of 2017 on a $20 million health sciences building in Pearland, Texas. Designed by PBK Architects, the three-story, 70,000-sf facility will support programs including nursing, behavioral science, and clinical counseling, and will house a satellite center of the UHCL Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. The general contractor for the project is Austin Commercial. Completion is expected in January of 2019.

Murray State University opened the new Breathitt Veterinary Center in May of 2017 in Hopkinsville, Ky. Replacing the state’s existing animal health lab, the $33 million facility features a BSL-3 suite, an expanded necropsy area, technology-rich classrooms, and collaborative research space. The 77,000-sf center provides 53,000 sf of dedicated diagnostic facilities and features an advanced HVAC system to enhance biosecurity throughout the building. Ground was broken in September of 2014 on the sustainably designed project, which is expected to attain LEED Silver.

Boston University broke ground in May of 2015 on the $150 million Center for Integrated Life Sciences and Engineering (CILSE). Designed by Payette, the nine-story, 170,000-sf facility will support interdisciplinary research on synthetic biology, systems neuroscience, cognitive neuroimaging, and biological design. The project will exceed Boston University’s base energy efficiency code by 30 percent and will have building systems and utilities located on the second and third floors to ensure continuing operations in the event of a flood.

Lafayette College broke ground in May of 2017 on the $75 million Rockwell Integrated Science Center in Easton, Pa. Housing the departments of biology, computer science, and environmental studies, the five-story, 102,000-sf facility will feature an entrepreneurship incubator as well as accommodating programs in engineering and neuroscience. The design architect for the project is Payette and the project manager is Aegis Property Group.

Westfield State University opened the Dr. Nettie M. Stevens Science and Innovation Center in May of 2017 in Westfield, Mass. Designed by Cambridge Seven Associates, the $48 million facility features a technology-rich interdisciplinary classroom, medical simulation suites, teaching and research labs, and study spaces. Accommodating programs in biology, chemistry, physics, nursing, and allied health, the 54,472-sf center includes a tissue culture suite, growth chambers, and environmental control rooms.

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota opened the $20 million Science and Learning Center in May of 2017 in Winona, Minn. Designed and built by Wight & Company of Chicago, the three-story, 50,000-sf teaching and research facility provides technology-rich labs and classrooms for interactive learning. Featuring a 120-seat tiered auditorium and a three-story atrium, the center includes a cell culture suite, an anatomy and physiology lab, and an organic chemistry lab with 10 glass fume hoods for optimal visibility.

The University of Rhode Island broke ground in April of 2017 on a $125 million engineering complex in Kingston. Designed by Ballinger to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, the 190,000-sf facility will provide open and flexible teaching, learning, and research space for seven engineering programs. The project will feature three large active-learning classrooms, four teaching labs, four research labs, two computer labs, a robotics lab, a 24/7 student makerspace, capstone project areas, and two wings of offices.

College and University directives targeting student life, engagement, knowledge transfer, discovery, and resource utilization are transforming capital project priorities and initiatives, space plans, and campus planning decisions on all types of buildings and space.  We’d like your opinion on the specific facility and campus initiatives that your institution (or your clients) will be investing in. We'll compile the survey results and return them to you so you can compare your priorities with the top issues that others are focusing on.

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Texas Tech University Health Science Center broke ground in May of 2017 on the $83 million Medical Sciences Building II in El Paso. Designed by Perkins+Will, the five-story, 219,000-sf facility will double the campus’ biomedical research capacity with advanced laboratories and offices for investigators and faculty members. The project will also house a 9,200-sf teaching auditorium capable of accommodating 500 students, classrooms, study spaces, a library, a dining area, and administrative offices.

Montclair State University’s Center for Environmental and Life Sciences (CELS) has attained LEED Gold sustainable design certification. Designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative, the 107,500-sf facility provides seven interdisciplinary research suites, six core labs, classrooms, offices, seminar rooms, a 100-seat lecture hall, and a microscopy suite.

Auburn University will begin construction in summer of 2017 on the Poultry Infectious Disease Biocontainment Research Facility in Auburn, Ala. Designed to exceed state and federal compliance standards, the 5,000-sf facility will enable investigators from the College of Agriculture to perform research on live birds as well as infectious disease agents. Occupancy is expected in summer of 2018. Additionally, a $3 million administration building will be constructed at the Charles C. Miller Jr. Poultry Research and Education Center.

Vanderbilt University will break ground in late spring of 2017 on a $23.6 million expansion of the School of Nursing in Nashville. Designed by Hastings Architecture Associates, the five-story, 30,000-sf addition will provide classrooms, conference and seminar rooms, faculty and administrative offices, and a simulation training lab. The facility will also feature virtual classrooms to support distance learning programs and technology-enhanced instructional spaces to promote interaction and collaboration.