Higher Education

Simon Fraser University opened the $56.9 million Blusson Hall in Vancouver, B.C., in September of 2008. The 12,000-sm facility houses open wet and dry laboratories, classrooms, offices, seminar rooms, a lecture hall, and a computer lab. The three-story, U-shaped complex is constructed around a central courtyard and is designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration. The LEED Silver project features a green roof, solar shading, radiant-floor heating, and abundant natural light.

Yale School of Medicine completed the 25,864-sf Laboratory for Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology (LSOG) in New Haven, Conn., in September of 2008. Designed by Svigals + Partners, the $9 million project involved renovation of the second and third floors of the LSOG building to house updated research laboratories, instructional spaces, conference rooms, and offices.

The University of Kentucky broke ground on a $28.5 million expansion and renovation of the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center in Lexington in September of 2008. The project will include the construction of a necropsy laboratory wing and an administrative wing, nearly doubling the size of the existing 38,000-sf building, which will be completely renovated. The facility will also switch to alkaline digestion for tissue disposal. Completion is expected by 2010.

The Stanford Graduate School of Business broke ground on the Knight Management Center on September 10, 2008. The 360,000-sf business school campus will include eight buildings conjoined by three quadrangles. The $350 million project is expected to reach completion in spring of 2011. Housing a 600-seat lecture hall, tiered classrooms, flexible instruction spaces, and breakout study rooms, the collaborative facility is designed to foster cross-disciplinary experience with the departments of medicine, engineering, law, education, life sciences, and humanities.

California State University Fullerton has awarded the Los Angeles division of PCL Constructors a $118-million design-build contract to construct a 1,080-bed student housing project. LEED Gold certification for sustainable design will be sought for the complex, which will be comprised of five five-story buildings and a dining facility.

Southern Oregon University opened a 68,700-sf academic facility in Medford in September of 2008. Created in collaboration with Rogue Community College, the three-story, joint-use building houses science and computer labs, classrooms, a business center, and a testing area. LEED Platinum certification will be sought for the project, which features extensive daylighting, heat recovery, ultra-low-flow water fixtures, and high-efficiency condensing boilers and water heaters. The facility was designed by SERA Architects of Portland.

The University of Iowa is constructing the $120 million Institute for Biomedical Discovery in Iowa City. Located next to the Carver Biomedical Research Building, the 200,000-sf facility will house laboratories for biomedical, life science, and stem cell research. The project broke ground in September of 2007 and will include the $25 million Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center. 

Stanford University is constructing the 130,000-sf Jen-Hsun Huang School of Engineering Center in Stanford, Calif. Slated for completion in the second quarter of 2010, the facility will house administrative offices, a conference center, a student commons, a library, and a café. Designed by BOORA Architects of Portland, Ore., the sustainably-built project is the second of four buildings that will create a new Science and Engineering Quad.

Napa Valley College is constructing a 48,000-sf performing arts instructional center in Napa, Calif. Designed by HGA Architects and Engineers, the facility includes a 550-seat theater, a black box theater, offices, a recital venue, and rehearsal spaces. Completion is expected in spring of 2010.

Carnegie Mellon University is constructing a 460,000-sf academic facility at the Qatar Foundation’s Education City in Doha. The project, which broke ground in May of 2006, will be dedicated in February of 2009. Designed by Legoretta+Legoretta of Lomas Reforma, Mexico, the facility features a three-story atrium, classrooms, offices, and laboratories. The building is located between the Qatar facilities of Texas A&M University and Weill Cornell Medical College.

The University of Massachusetts Medical School is planning to build a $420 million biomedical research facility in Worcester. The building will support research in genetic therapy, stem cells, and RNAi. UMass Worcester is also building a seven-story medical education and clinical practice center slated for occupancy in 2010.

Montana State University began construction on the $16 million Animal Bioscience building in Bozeman in September of 2008. The three-story, 40,000-sf facility will house classrooms, research laboratories, and a teaching lab for anatomy, physiology, animal nutrition, and genetics. A technology transfer room will provide interactive video capabilities allowing information to be shared throughout the state. The project broke ground in June of 2008 with completion slated for 2010. The facility is being constructed by Swank Enterprises of Valier, Mont.

The University of Wisconsin, Madison opened the $134 million Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research East Tower in September of 2008. Housing the Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, the seven-story, $185 million biomedical research facility includes multiple cancer specialties, core laboratory space, advanced imaging and radiation, surgery, and pharmacology research. One of three planned towers, the project will be accompanied by a second tower dedicated to neurosciences, cardiovascular health, and regenerative and molecular medicine.

Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) is constructing a 173,000-sf science building on its campus in Willimantic, Conn. LEED Silver certification for sustainable design will be sought for the $46 million project, which features daylighting, rainwater and gray water recycling, and an energy efficient HVAC system. The five-story building will consolidate the departments of science and mathematics and will include technology-rich laboratories, a 150-seat lecture hall, and a greenhouse.

The University at Buffalo (SUNY) is planning to construct a 130,000-sf facility for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in Buffalo, N.Y. Designed by Perkins + Will, the $73 million building will house flexible laboratories, classrooms, and seminar rooms for interdisciplinary research and education. The project will include a 5,000-sf cleanroom for the development of technologies such as biosensors and therapeutic nanoparticles. Groundbreaking is expected in summer of 2009.