Higher Education

Educating healthcare professionals in a manner that crosses disciplines and fosters teamwork for the advancement of public health is more than a mission statement for Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Florida. It is an inherent objective in recent and ongoing construction projects on the main Davie Campus in Fort Lauderdale and at the regional campuses in Jacksonville; Miami; Miramar; Orlando; Palm Beach; Fort Myers; Tampa; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Wexford Science+Technology opened the $88 million Wexford Innovation Center in July of 2019 in Providence, R.I. Designed by Ayers Saint Gross, the seven-story, 202,000-sf building will accommodate tenants including Brown University's School of Professional Studies, the Cambridge Innovation Center, Johnson & Johnson, the Venture Café, and The Boston Globe. Interior improvements valued at $17 million were performed for the Cambridge Innovation Center's facilities.

The University of Lincoln will begin construction in fall of 2019 on the £21 million Lincoln Medical School in the United Kingdom.

The University of Illinois at Chicago opened the $100 million Academic and Residential Complex in August of 2019. Representing a public-private partnership with American Campus Communities, the project includes a two-story, 54,000-sf academic building providing collaboration spaces, small group study rooms, a tutoring center, and seven technology-rich classrooms for interactive learning, one of which can accommodate 288 students.

The University of Glasgow is building the £90.6 million James McCune Smith Learning Hub in Scotland in the United Kingdom. Designed by HLM Architects, the seven-story, 179,111-sf facility will feature technology-enhanced active learning (TEAL) spaces, seminar rooms, collaboration areas, multipurpose classrooms, study spaces, and a 500-seat lecture hall. Multiplex is the construction manager for the building with SES Engineering as mechanical and electrical engineer.

Rice University broke ground in July of 2019 on The Ion in Houston. Fostering the creation of new digital technologies, the $110 million project includes the renovation of a former Sears building to create a 270,000-sf innovation hub for data sciences research initiatives. Designed by Gensler, SHoP Architects, James Carpenter Design Associates, and James Corner Field Operations, the center will offer event spaces, meeting rooms, business incubation suites, dining venues, and entertainment amenities.

The University of Cambridge will break ground in November of 2019 on the Heart and Lung Research Institute in Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Sited adjacent to the Royal Papworth Hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, the facility will accommodate 380 academic and industry scientists engaged in the discovery of new therapeutics and diagnostic tools for cardiovascular conditions.

Swansea University is planning to construct the £30 million Center for Integrative Semiconductor Materials in Wales in the United Kingdom. The three-story, 46,500-sf facility will house cleanrooms, labs, and offices to support the creation of advanced semiconductor materials, processes, and technologies. Located on the Bay Campus, the multidisciplinary project will integrate manufacturing, research, and development operations as well as offering business incubation and workforce development opportunities.

Charles Sturt University began construction on the Stage 2A academic facility in June of 2019 in Port Macquarie, Australia. Designed by BVN Architecture, the AUD$40 million building will provide flexible instructional spaces, a laboratory, a student kitchen, meeting and breakout rooms, and an event venue. Enabling the university to support an additional 1,800 students, the two-story structure will be linked to the existing campus by a path with a timber bridge from the adjacent nature reserve.

The University of Saskatchewan is building the $45 million Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon, Canada. The multi-sport facility will include a community ice rink, a gymnasium with two full-size basketball courts, locker rooms, lounges, therapy rooms, and a 2,500-seat hockey bowl with room for an additional 1,000 fans. The project will feature the $2 million Ron and Jane Graham Sport Science and Health Centre, a performance research facility supporting athlete conditioning, education, nutrition, injury prevention, and recovery.

Colorado State University broke ground in July of 2019 on the $22 million Center for Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases in Fort Collins. Designed by Merrick & Company and BSA LifeStructures, the 41,000-sf research facility will house the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology. The project will provide offices, support space, and BSL-2 labs for the detection and study of arthropod-borne and infectious diseases.

Texas A&M University is addressing the rising demand for engineers by transforming a traditional 46-year-old academic building into a state-of-the-art facility, where technology is not just an aid, but a driver. The Zachry Engineering Education Complex, on the College Station campus, is the cornerstone of Texas A&M’s ambitious “25 by 25” initiative—a plan to enroll 25,000 engineering students by 2025.

Eastern Michigan University is engaged in a $40 million renovation of Sill Hall in Ypsilanti. Featuring highly adaptable infrastructure for optimal flexibility, the $40 million project will create sophisticated laboratories and experiential learning environments for the College of Engineering and Technology.

Creighton University began construction in July of 2019 on a $100 million health sciences campus in midtown Phoenix. Located at Park Central, the 180,000-sf facility will accommodate programs in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistance, emergency services, and occupational and physical therapy. The project team includes architect Butler Design Group, general contractor Okland Construction, and developer Plaza Companies.

Kenyon College broke ground in July of 2019 on the West Quad complex in Gambier, Ohio. Designed by GUND Partnership, the project includes construction of Kenyon Commons, a collaborative library and learning facility that will feature two sandbox spaces for the exploration of innovative technologies and teaching methods.