Whittier College opened the Science and Learning Center in September of 2016 in Whittier, Calif. Designed by Steinberg Architects with Research Facilities Design (RFD) as laboratory design consultant, the $52 million project included a complete renovation of the 89,000-sf Stauffer Science Building to create a collaborative, interdisciplinary facility for STEM programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The College of William & Mary opened the third phase of the Integrated Science Center (ISC3) in September of 2016 in Williamsburg, Va. Accommodating programs in applied science, biology, chemistry, psychology, neuroscience, and computer modeling, the $74 million interdisciplinary facility features 13 chemistry research labs, four teaching labs, instrumentation suites, a computational lab, a biological sciences makerspace, a spectroscopy lab, and a complete machine shop.
Today’s scientific researchers are improving their productivity, research outcomes, and technological advances by using the knowledge of many disciplines. This emerging field of “convergence science” goes beyond traditional collaboration to the much larger intellectual intersection of engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, and other disciplines, plus big data. In this model, research includes funding from private sources or foundations that demand marketable results quickly.
The Department of Defense’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency has completed construction of the Forensic Identification Laboratory in Oahu, Hawaii. Designed by SmithGroupJJR, the three-story, 136,497-sf project will aid in the investigation, recovery, and accounting of Americans lost during the nation’s past conflicts.
Nova Southeastern University opened the $100 million Center for Collaborative Research in September of 2016 in Davie, Fla. Designed by ACAI Associates, the six-story, 215,000-sf facility features wet and dry laboratories, a high-performance computing environment, the AutoNation Institute for Breast and Solid Tumor Cancer Research, the NSU Cell Therapy Institute, and the Institute for Natural and Ocean Sciences Research.
The University of Texas at El Paso is planning to break ground in early 2017 on the $85 million Interdisciplinary Research Building. Designed by Perkins+Will, the 150,000-gsf project will feature collaborative research labs, a vivarium, imaging suites, core labs, a visualization suite, conference rooms, an atrium, an auditorium, and academic and administrative offices.
GE Healthcare is planning to create a $167 million biopharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Ringaskiddy, Ireland. Featuring GE's prefabricated KUBio™ facilities, GE BioPark Cork will include four KUBio factories owned by independent biopharma companies. GE will manage the campus as well as providing centralized shared utilities and site services. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2017.
The University of Michigan is planning to build the $75 million Ford Motor Company Robotics Building on the North Campus in Ann Arbor. Part of the College of Engineering, the four-story, 140,000-sf facility will feature collaborative research and development labs, classrooms, offices, high-bay space, and a fly zone for autonomous aerial vehicles. Ford Motor Company will occupy a laboratory on the top floor of the building and is providing $15 million in funding for the project. Completion is expected in late 2019.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center is building the $265 million HOPE Tower in Neptune, N.J. Designed by WHR Architects, the 10-story, 299,000-sf cancer research and treatment facility will feature a 58,000-sf patient care center offering radiation therapy, medical oncology, surgical specialties, and minimally invasive therapies. The tower will also include space for academic programs, simulation training suites, biomedical laboratories, and a nine-story parking garage.
Memorial University is planning to build the CAD$30 million Animal Resource Centre in St. Johns. Replacing two existing buildings, the 30,000-sf facility will support medical research in a variety of areas, including cancer, diabetes, mental health, obesity, stroke mechanisms, and osteoporosis. The project will include vivarium space for animal housing and is supported by CAD$14.4 million in federal funding.
The University of Wyoming will break ground in October of 2016 on the $105 million Engineering Education and Research Building in Laramie. Designed by ZGF for maximum flexibility, the four-story, 100,000-sf facility will feature drop-down utilities and services to create reconfigurable laboratories for collaborative teaching and research.
Auburn University broke ground in September of 2016 on the Gavin Engineering Research Laboratory in Auburn, Ala. The new home for the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering will be developed through the complete renovation and expansion of an existing textile building to create an advanced teaching and research complex.
Midea America Corp. began construction in August of 2016 on a 30,000-sf research and development facility in Louisville, Ky. The $10 million Midea America Research Center (MARC) will provide sophisticated engineering labs, product testing areas, and offices. Occupancy is expected in January of 2017. Midea America, a leading appliance manufacturer, is a subsidiary of China-based Midea Global.
Weber State University opened the $60 million Tracy Hall Science Center in August of 2016 in Ogden, Utah. Designed by VCBO Architects of Salt Lake City, the four-story, 175,000-sf facility offers advanced labs and classrooms as well as housing all eight departments of the College of Science.
The University of Rhode Island opened the $68 million Richard E. Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences in September of 2016. The four-story, 134,623-sf building provides 14 teaching labs, 18 faculty research labs, a 240-seat lecture hall, classrooms, offices, and the Teknor Apex Instrumentation Lab. The facility also houses the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Center of Excellence for Explosives Detection, Mitigation and Response.
