Higher Education

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.

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 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.

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.

The University of Southern California broke ground in September of 2008 on the $82.6 million Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research in Los Angeles. Located on USC's Health Science Campus in Boyle Heights, the 81,537-gsf, five-story facility will provide 53,000-asf for basic and discovery stem cell research, preclinical research and preclinical development, and clinical research. Designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects to foster collaboration, the building will include shared research space.

St. Cloud State University is building the $15 million Robert H. Wick Science Building in St. Cloud, Minn. The 36,000-sf addition will house chemistry and biology labs and is slated for completion in fall of 2008. Occupancy is expected in the first quarter of 2009. Additionally, the 100,000-sf Integrated Science and Engineering Laboratory (ISELF), a research, teaching, and science facility, is in the pre-design phase.

The University of Arkansas is building the $14.5 million Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences in Jonesboro. The three-story, 50,650-sf facility will house classrooms, nursing laboratories, research suites, and clinical space. Additionally, 16,750-sf of the Chickasaw Building for the College of Nursing and Health Professions will be renovated to house faculty offices and classrooms. The project team includes Jonesboro-based Brackett-Krennerich & Associates Architects and CDI Contractors of Little Rock.

The University of Texas at Brownsville is planning to construct the $34 million Biomedical Research Laboratories + Community Sciences Building. Comprised of a biomedical research building and a general classroom facility connected by a courtyard, the project is designed by SHW Group of Dallas with Research Facilities Design (RFD) as laboratory design consultant.

The Medical University of South Carolina will break ground by year-end 2008 on a $55 million bioengineering building in Charleston. The four-story, 100,000-sf facility is slated for completion by late 2010. The building will house 36 wet lab and office suites, dry computational labs, and a 600-person conference room. The facility, which will be connected to an 114,000-sf drug discovery center, will support stem cell and biomedical research.

The University of Queensland opened the $33 million Centre for Advanced Animal Science (CAAS) on its Gatton campus in September of 2008. The biocontainment facility will house laboratories for disease and vaccine research, group and individual animal pens, and cattle handling facilities. The project was designed by S2F and built by McNab Constructions. CAAS is a joint venture of the University of Queensland and the Queensland Government.

Montana State University dedicated the Jutila Research Laboratory and the Johnson Family Livestock Facility in August of 2008. The $2.5 million, 3,500-sf Jutila Research Lab accommodates BSL-3 infectious disease research. The $3.4 million, 7,500-sf Johnson Family Livestock Facility will support BSL-2 large animal veterinary research.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) opened its new sustainably-designed residence hall in Worcester, Mass., on August 25, 2008. Designed by Cannon Design of Boston and constructed by Gilbane Building Company, the apartment-style residence includes technology suites, fitness facilities, and wireless access. LEED Gold certification will be sought for the project, which features a green roof and ample natural lighting.

The Commonwealth Medical College broke ground on the 185,000-sf Medical Sciences Building in Scranton, Pa., in August of 2008. Designed by HOK in partnership with Highland Associates, the facility will support medical education for over 500 students and will accommodate 175 full-time faculty members. The Medical Sciences Building is comprised of a west research wing and an east instructional wing linked by a courtyard.

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) opened the 45,000-sf College of Osteopathic Medicine in Yakima, Wash., in August of 2008. The $19.7 million facility will provide health science education for primary care physicians as well as offering degrees in nursing, public heath, and psychology. The private, not-for-profit college is planning to open the College of Allied Health Sciences and the College of Biomedical Sciences as early as fall of 2009.

The College of William and Mary opened the 111,000-sf Integrated Science Center in Williamsburg, Va., in September of 2008. The facility was completed in two years and houses the department of chemistry as well as space for the departments of biology and psychology. The project, which includes teaching labs, a vivarium, and molecular biology labs, represents the first phase of a multidisciplinary science complex that will connect to the existing 45,000-sf Rogers Hall, which will also be renovated.