Higher Education

Dixie State University dedicated the Edward H. and Idonna E. Snow Science Center in March of 2013 in St. George, Utah. Designed by CRSA Architecture and built by Westland Construction, the two-story science complex provides 10,000 sf of lab space, classrooms, and an atrium. Supporting the departments of chemistry, geology, and geography, the facility includes 11 fume hoods, a geology lab, an imaging suite, and labs for organic, analytical, and general chemistry.

The University of Texas Pan American is planning to build a $96 million science facility in Edinburg, Texas. The 162,600-sf annex will accommodate programs in biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, geology, mathematics, health sciences, technology, and environmental studies. The project will provide two BSL-3 labs and five specialized research suites for imaging, tissue culture, instrumentation, radioisotopes, and an herbarium.

Tufts University began building the Arnold 8 Biosafety Laboratory in February of 2013. Located in an existing building on the School of Medicine campus in Boston, the BSL-3 facility will support research on tuberculosis. The laboratory is being built by Shawmut Design & Construction.

National Cheng Kung University has expanded its Laboratory Animal Center (LAC) at the College of Medicine with the addition of four small-animal research labs. The completed 27,232-sf LAC was inaugurated in February of 2013. National Cheng Kung University is located in Tainan, Taiwan.

The University of Massachusetts Medical School opened the $400 million Albert Sherman Center in Worcester in February of 2013. Designed by Architectural Resources Cambridge, the 11-story, 512,000-sf interdisciplinary facility provides research labs, six learning centers, conference rooms, and a 350-seat auditorium. The Sherman Center also houses the Advanced Therapeutics Cluster, including the RNA Therapeutics Institute, the Gene Therapy Center, and the Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine.

The University of Southern California is building the $50 million Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in Los Angeles. Designed by Harley Ellis Devereaux, the 88,000-sf facility will feature a digital media tower and a four-story atrium. Occupancy is expected in fall of 2013.

Wayne State University is planning to create the Advanced Technology Education Center in Warren, Mich. The building will house programs in engineering, business, advanced manufacturing, and computer science. Designed by NORR, the project is expected to include renovation of an existing 40,000-sf facility located on the 3.5-acre site. Completion is expected in fall of 2014. 

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is building the $156 million Life Science Laboratories facility. Ground was broken on the first phase of the five-story, 310,000-sf project in February of 2010; completion is expected in fall of 2013. Designed by Wilson Architects of Boston, the collaborative facility will contain open and flexible research labs with equipment alcoves, enclosed support labs, and shared platform labs. The building will also provide faculty offices, conference rooms, colloquia, and food service areas.

Sahlgrenska University Hospital has selected Skanska to build a cancer imaging and intervention center in Gothenburg, Sweden. The $63 million contract includes construction and conversion of a total area of 237,000 sf to provide advanced facilities for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Work will begin on the project in early 2014 with completion expected in late 2015.

Colleges and universities struggling with their aging science facilities face common challenges when they embark on major renovations: compromised infrastructure; mechanical systems that lack the energy efficiency of modern, sustainable designs; and non-compliance with building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, the buildings may be fully or partially occupied, and the budgets are limited. Overcoming these challenges requires careful planning and a well-considered phasing strategy that often includes tackling the major infrastructure improvements up front.

The Molecular Engineering & Sciences Building at the University of Washington accommodates growth in molecular engineering; responds to the evolving interdisciplinary nature of teaching and research; and fits within an area of campus that is home to revitalized facilities as well as traditional campus architecture.

Brown University is constructing the $35 million Building for Environmental Research in Providence, R.I. The project is a renovation of the existing Hunter Hall facility and will provide classrooms, laboratories, and faculty and departmental offices for programs in engineering and environmental science. The facility will feature a technology-rich rooftop greenhouse for research. Completion is expected in fall of 2013.

Clemson University dedicated the $50 million Life Sciences Facility in February of 2013. The 100,000-sf building provides 25 laboratories organized in research clusters focused on emerging pathogens, cancer prevention and cure, microbiology, and food safety. The Light Imaging Facility features advanced Leica microscopy equipment that will be used by over 60 investigators and will also be available to private corporations. The project team included designer Perkins + Will and builder DPR Construction, both based in Atlanta.

The University of Wollongong is planning to construct a $33 million science building in New South Wales, Australia. The 64,600-sf facility will provide instructional space as well as teaching and research labs for biology, chemistry, geology, and environmental science. Construction will begin in September of 2013 and completion is expected in December of 2014.

Australia's Griffith University is nearing completion of the world's first zero-emission teaching and research facility powered entirely by photovoltaic solar energy and stored hydrogen. In addition to being a practical demonstration of innovative energy technologies, the $40 million Sir Samuel Griffith Centre will serve as a campus cornerstone and collaborative social hub that integrates business, engineering, and environmental science disciplines around the core issues of sustainability.