Higher Education

The University of California, Merced,  will occupy a newly-completed 68,000, five-story office building—“University Square”—in Bakersfield. The Kern County Superintendent of Schools is also a tenant. Classrooms occupy the first two floors, with the upper floors housing support offices. An adjacent parking structure is also part of the project designed by Ware Malcomb of Irvine, Calif. The developer is The Allen Group. The general contractor was S.C. Anderson Inc. of Bakersfield.

Principia College in Elsah, Ill., contracted Mackey Mitchell Associates to design the Watson Science Building addition. Originally designed by Bernard Maybeck in the 1930's, the 51,000-sf project followed green design principles. It includes faculty offices, classrooms and labs for 10 science departments, a 200-seat auditorium and a greenhouse.

Laney College in Oakland, Ca., has transformed its vocational courses facility into a $2.5-million high-tech training center. Originally built in the 1970's, Building E houses the 6,000-sf New Technology Center designed by architectural firm Ratcliff of Emeryville.  The center was completed in February and includes two 43-workstation specialized multimedia labs, a networking lab, two round-the-clock workstation laboratory classrooms, a conference room and offices.

Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., has selected Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott to design a new 135,000-sf Law School and a 70,000-sf Sports and Fitness Center. The Eric Hotung International Law Building will feature academic classrooms, a library, a high-tech moot court room, and will house the University's Graduate School program. The Scott K. Ginsburg Sport and Fitness Center will offer students a range of recreational activities including a swimming pool, indoor track, weight and aerobic rooms.

The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has formulated a proposal to add a 90,000-sf addition to its main building on Longwood Avenue. The facility would provide space for laboratories, classrooms, student housing, computer labs, and underground parking.  

Catholic University has selected Sebesta Blomberg & Associates' Washington office to provide commissioning services for a 100,000-sf student union named Pryzbyla Center.

Having sold $97.2 million in bonds in July, Swathmore College will renovate its campus science center and build a 150-bed residence hall.

The University of Phoenix has contracted Braintree-based Integrated Builders to build its 13,000-sf Braintree satellite campus, with Grossman Cos. Inc.of Quincy providing site development.

The Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering has selected Space Plan Interiors as interior designer for its 70-acre Needham campus. Slated for completion in early 2002, four buildings totalling 300,000-sf will be programmed, designed, and furnished by Space Plan Interiors.

Drexel University in Philadelphia has contracted Burt Hill Kosar Rittelmann Associates to design a new $30 million, 150,000-sf, five-story research building. 

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum designed by HOK Inc. is now under construction. Ground was broken on February 12 on the Springfield, Ill., facility which replaces the existing library currently housed in the basement of the Old State Capitol building. Creating a comprehensive public experience featuring the life of Abraham Lincoln, the 99,600-sf library will serve as the archival facility to preserve and protect the collection of books and documents on the legends of Lincoln.

McCarthy Building Companies Inc. has completed the first phase of construction on the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the first nationally accredited maritime museum in the Northwest. Located in Astoria, Ore., the museum remained open during the 11-month construction project targeted for completion in October 2001. Phase I involved a 2,500-sf expansion and a 15,000-sf renovation providing space for an updated library, a state-of-the-art archive facility and new office space.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's 72,000-sf campus center was completed by Cutler Associates, a design-build firm based in Worcester. Boston-based Shepley, Bullfinch, Richardson and Abbott designed the project.

Harvard Medical School is building a 430,000-sf research facility in Boston. Developed by William A. Berry & Son, Inc., the $250 million project includes a 196,000-sf parking garage and will by used by Harvard Medical School and collaborative tenants.  

Harvard University is building an apartment style, 360-bed graduate student housing facility in Allston, Mass. The $85 million project, developed by Bond Bros. Inc., features a 15-story tower.