Higher Education

The University of Michigan opened the $75 million Ford Motor Company Robotics Building in March of 2021 in Ann Arbor. As the new home of the U-M Robotics Institute, the 134,000-sf facility provides the College of Engineering with collaborative R&D labs, maker spaces, high-bay research areas, a three-story fly zone for autonomous aerial vehicles, a Mars yard for rover and lander prototyping, and an outdoor obstacle course for walking robots.

Virginia Tech broke ground in March of 2021 on the Data and Decision Sciences Building in Blacksburg. Designed by Moseley Architects, the 115,000-gsf facility will feature a multilevel commons, specialized laboratories, data visualization classrooms, and interdisciplinary team rooms for collaborative student projects. Kjellstrom and Lee is the general contractor for the structure, which will collocate the university's programs in computer science, engineering, and data-related disciplines. Completion is expected in 2023.

The University of California, Irvine opened the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building in February of 2021. Designed by LMN Architects with Research Facilities Design (RFD) as laboratory design consultant, the 204,750-sf facility houses the Samueli School of Engineering, the Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Science, and the School of Physical Sciences.

Sacred Heart University broke ground in March of 2021 on a $70 million hockey and skating complex in Fairfield, Conn. Designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative and JLG Architects, the 122,158-sf project will feature an expansive ice arena capable of accommodating 4,000 spectators. The multifunctional facility will also be used to host special events such as guest lectures, concerts, and convocations.

California State University, Chico dedicated the $101 million Science Building in March of 2021. Designed by SmithGroup with Research Facilities Design (RFD) as laboratory design consultant, the 110,200-sf structure features active learning classrooms and teaching labs for chemistry, physics, geology, and environmental sciences.

Duke University is laying claim to the future with a new $115 million engineering facility, the Wilkinson Building. The flexible, adaptable structure was completed in November 2020, and opened for students and researchers in January. Space for engineering education and research expands with 150,000 gsf on five levels. That translates into a 25 percent increase in the university’s engineering footprint and 50 percent more teaching and student program space for engineering.

Heriot Watt University began construction in March of 2021 on the National Robotarium in Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. Designed by Michael Laird Architects, the 40,000-sf building will accommodate innovative research programs in robotics, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence. Created in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, the center of excellence will enable academics, engineers, and industry partners to address a wide range of global challenges.

The University of Cincinnati began construction in March of 2021 on a $45.6 million renovation and expansion of Linder Hall to create a new home for the College of Law. Designed by Perkins+Will and BHDP Architecture, the project will repurpose and enlarge the 84,443-sf structure to create a 116,635-sf facility featuring a two-story lobby atrium, three flexible 50-seat classrooms, a 90-seat classroom, and a 160-seat auditorium that can function as an appellate courtroom.

North Carolina State University completed construction in February of 2021 on the $150 million Fitts-Woolard Hall in Raleigh. The 225,000-sf teaching and research facility provides over 100 classrooms and laboratories for the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and the Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.

James Cook University began construction in March of 2021 on the AUD$94 million Technology Innovation Complex in Townsville, Queensland. Designed by KIRK Architects in association with i4 Architecture and Charles Wright Architects, the four-story, 101,180-sf building will provide flexible multimodal environments for STEM programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Designing facilities for student retention means designing for student success. It also means designing for a diverse student body. Whether it’s a freshman who isn’t faring well in his first semester of chemistry; a student who has just had her professional aspirations dashed by a faltering economy and could benefit from a fresh round of career counseling; or a budget-minded commuter student who needs a microwave to warm up dinner brought from home—today’s colleges and universities are increasingly expected to support the entire student experience.

Ferris State University will begin construction in May of 2021 on the $29.5 million Center for Virtual Learning in Big Rapids, Mich. Designed by Stantec, the 64,000-sf facility will provide a centralized home for the university's online education activities. Accommodating current and future advances in virtual learning approaches, the project will feature unique adaptable environments for digital content creation and instruction.

Creighton University is planning to break ground in summer of 2021 on the $75 million CL Werner Center for Health Sciences Education in Omaha. Providing a new home for the School of Medicine, the five-story, 130,000-sf facility will enable students enrolled in allied health programs including nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistance, and behavioral health to learn and train with medical students in the delivery team-based care.

San Francisco State University will begin construction in summer of 2021 on the $169 million Science & Engineering Innovation Center. Comprising 125,000 sf of new construction and 54,000 sf of renovated space, the 179,000-sf facility will provide the College of Science and Engineering with leading-edge labs and classrooms, as well as offering informal interaction spaces, interdisciplinary lecture halls, and active learning classrooms that will be accessible to the entire campus community.

Vermeulens has released its market outlook report for the fourth quarter of 2020. Key points include:

Construction Prices: Remain flat through Q4 of 2020, with one in ten projects showing cost reductions with strong contractor coverage across the board.

Fed Watch: The Federal Reserve continued monetary stimulus.

Architectural Billings: Q4 has returned to growth in inquiries; however, three quarters of billing declines in 2020 will result in a lower volume for the first half of 2021.