Higher Education

Stanford University is building the $197.3 million Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering Building in Palo Alto, Calif. Part of SEQ II, the facility is the fourth and final phase of construction for the Science and Engineering Quad. Ground was broken in summer of 2011 with completion expected in summer of 2014. The facility will house wet and dry labs and collaborative research space. The sustainably designed project will feature photovoltaic technology and abundant natural light. 

Washington University in St. Louis dedicated Preston M. Green Hall in September of 2011. The interdisciplinary facility is designed to support collaborative research and education for the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Providing classrooms and 17 laboratories, the building houses the Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering, the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy & Sustainability (I-CARES), and space for the Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering.

The University of Nevada Reno opened the $46 million William N. Pennington Health Sciences Building in September of 2011. The three-story, 59,000-sf building houses two lecture halls, four simulation labs, 14 medical training offices, an anatomy lab, and a nursing skills lab. The facility was built by Sundt Construction of Tucson. Ground was broken on the project in December of 2009. 

St. Cloud State University will begin construction in November of 2011 on the Integrated Science and Engineering Laboratory Facility (ISELF) in St. Cloud, Minn. Designed by Rafferty Rafferty Tollefson Lindeke Architects of St. Paul, the $44.8 million project is slated for completion in summer of 2013. The construction manager is McGough of Roseville, Minn. The flexible, interdisciplinary teaching and research facility will support programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medical technology, and radiology.

Wayne State University opened the A. Paul Schaap Chemistry Building and Lecture Hall in Detroit in September of 2011. The $76 million expansion was developed in two phases. Creating 96,000 sf of open plan lab space, the project included construction of a four-story glass atrium, offices, and a technology-rich lecture hall. The facility was designed and engineered by Harley Ellis Devereaux with DeMaria Building Co. as general contractor.

The University of Utah broke ground on the $22 million Thatcher Building for Biological and Biophysical Chemistry in September of 2011 in Salt Lake City. The five-story, 41,000-sf facility will house teaching labs, organic and biochemical synthesis labs, and mass spectrometers for chemical analysis. The facility was designed by VCBO Architects and the general contractor is Okland Construction. Occupancy is expected in spring of 2013.

The University of Albany is building a 191,000-sf energy research facility for the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. The project will house the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium, a center supported by $60 million in federal funds. The facility will also include a 25,000-sf cleanroom for pilot solar cell manufacturing and research. The project was designed by EYP Architecture and Engineering. Two additional buildings totaling 300,000 sf will be built in a second phase of construction. 

The University of Saskatchewan opened the $140 million International Vaccine Center (InterVac) in Saskatoon in September of 2011. Designed by Smith Carter of Winnipeg, the 145,000-sf facility houses BSL-3 containment laboratories for infectious disease and vaccine research. Commissioning is expected to reach completion within five months and occupancy is expected in spring of 2012. InterVac will support research on pathogens including avian flu, SARS, West Nile virus, bovine tuberculosis, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

UCLA Medical System dedicated a $572 million hospital in Santa Monica in September of 2011. Comprising five interconnected buildings, the facility provides 266 inpatient beds, an emergency center, a birthing center, surgical suites, and both pediatric and adult intensive care units. The hospital will also support medical education with a 90-seat auditorium equipped for remote viewing of procedures. The facility was designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects to support translational research.

Texas A&M University opened the 166,000-sf Agriculture and Life Sciences Building in September of 2011. Located on the West Campus, the five-story building houses classrooms and administrative offices for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, as well as the departments of Agricultural Economics; Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications; and Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences. The building will also provide space for Texas Agrilife Research and the Texas Agrilife Extension Service. 

Harvard University will begin construction in December of 2011 on the $100 million Tata Hall in Boston. Located on the Allston campus, the seven-story building will provide classrooms and student residences for Harvard Business School. Completion is expected in late 2013.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is building the Voelte-Keegan Nanoscience Metrology Facility (NMF). The 32,000-sf facility will provide a temperature-stabilized research environment with minimized vibration and electromagnetic fields. The NMF will include a nanofabrication cleanroom, a materials preparation facility, and laboratories for nanofiber characterization, manufacturing metrology, and nanophotonics.

Dartmouth College opened the $127.5 million Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center in September of 2011. The facility features interactive classrooms, a 200-seat auditorium, seminar rooms, and a rooftop greenhouse. The construction cost of the facility was $92 million. LEED Platinum sustainable design certification will be sought for the project. The Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center will be dedicated in November of 2011.

Nova Southeastern University opened its new campus in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., in September of 2011. The $17 million, 75,000-sf facility houses 26 classrooms, four labs, six exam rooms, a student lounge, and a fitness center. The four-story building can accommodate community events and includes video conferencing capabilities. 

The University of Maryland will build a world-class teaching and learning center on its College Park campus. The $63 million, 47,900-sf classroom facility is expected to open in 2016.