Higher Education

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.

Bridgewater State University opened the first phase of the newly expanded and renovated Science and Mathematics Center in September of 2011. Designed by Payette, the five-story, 168,000-sf facility will provide space for the departments of biology, chemistry, earth science, geography, physics, math, and computer science. The project team includes R.G.

Salisbury University opened the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business in September of 2011. The $55 million Perdue Hall features a central atrium, a 200-seat auditorium, four research labs, classrooms, a business outreach center, a student services suite, collaboration space, and faculty and staff offices. The 113,000-sf facility was designed by Richter Cornbrooks Gribble of Baltimore and Perkins & Will of Charlotte, with Holder Construction of Atlanta as general contractor.

Lorain County Community College broke ground on the Richard Desich SMART Commercialization Center for Microsystems in September of 2011. Located in Elyria, Ohio, the facility will support MEMS (micro electrical mechanical systems) industry partnerships for the development of advanced sensor technologies. The project will house cleanrooms, laboratories, testing suites, and packaging space. Occupancy is expected in spring of 2013.

Eastern Michigan University reopened the 237,108-sf Pray-Harold classroom building in September of 2011 in Ypsilanti. A $42 million renovation of the facility provides completely updated auditoriums, classrooms, study areas, and interaction space. The electrical and mechanical infrastructure has also been replaced. The facility features a green wall with indigenous plants to provide cooling. The project architect was SHW Group of Detroit.

SUNY Fredonia broke ground on its $60 million Science Center in September of 2011. The 92,000-sf building will house the departments of biology and chemistry/biochemistry, as well as programs in environmental science and education. The facility will feature flexible and informal teaching spaces as well as faculty offices, labs, and classrooms. Occupancy is expected in 2014.

SAIT Polytechnic is building the $400 million Trades and Technology Complex in Calgary, Alberta. The three-building, 740,000-sf project will house advanced equipment and is expected to open in September of 2012.