Research and Development

Tusculum College is building the $30 million Meen Center for Science and Mathematics in Greenville, Tenn. Designed by John Fisher + Associates, the four-story, 100,000-sf facility will provide teaching and research labs, classrooms, and lecture halls for programs in biology, chemistry, computer science, nursing, mathematics, and environmental science. Rentenbach Constructors began work on the project in May of 2015 and completion is expected in September of 2016.

A remarkable evolution in the tools and methods of research is driving a host of trends in laboratory planning and design, including fewer permanently assigned offices, a decided prioritization of computational over “wet” space, and an emphasis on core facilities and shared equipment, according to a survey of research organizations and A/E/C firms conducted by Tradeline.

The University of Central Arkansas is building the Conway Corporation Center for Sciences in Conway, Ark. Designed by Stuck Associates and WER Architects/Planners, the project includes renovation of the Lewis Science Center and construction of a three-story, 50,000-sf addition at a cost of $17.5 million. Research Facilities Design (RFD) is providing laboratory programming and design services for the facility, which will feature flexible labs and classrooms to support emerging pedagogies.

Sanford Health began building the $30 million Edith Sanford Breast Center in fall of 2015 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Designed by Architecture Incorporated, the three-story, 48,000-sf facility will provide space for clinical trials, a core lab for genomics research, a biobank, a multidisciplinary conference center, and a comprehensive range of services including mammography and surgery. The project includes 27,000 sf of renovated space in the adjoining Sanford Cancer Center and 58,000 sf of new construction.

Colorado State University is constructing an $82 million biology building in Fort Collins. Designed by Hord Coplan Macht and built by Haselden Construction, the 151,560-sf facility will provide technology-enhanced classrooms, teaching and research labs, a lecture hall, and two-story collaboration spaces to promote student-faculty interactions. LEED Gold sustainable design certification will be sought for the project.

Construction began in December of 2015 on the $71.4 million Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center in Kissimmee. Created by the University of Central Florida in collaboration with Osceola County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the 109,000-sf facility will house the world’s first industry-led smart sensor consortium. Featuring a flexible cleanroom with adaptable walls and flooring, the project will provide a semiconductor foundry, a design center, and labs for the development of new technologies using integrated circuits.

Kansas State University completed construction in fall of 2015 on a $45 million facility for the College of Engineering in Manhattan. Designed by Perkins+Will, the three-story, 108,000-sf atrium expansion connects three existing buildings and features a 4,000-sf collaborative learning center, teaching and research labs, a 250-seat lecture hall, technology-rich classrooms, and a data center.

The Pennsylvania State University's Health and Human Development Building was awarded the 2015 Gold Project Leadership Award in November of 2015 by the Construction Owners Association of America (COAA). Completed in summer of 2015, the structure was the second building of a two-phase expansion of the College of Health and Human Development, collocating several research centers near the main academic departments.

Mote Marine Laboratory will begin construction in January of 2016 on a new research and education facility in Sarasota, Fla. Designed by Hall Architects, the building will accommodate the study of ocean and coastal ecosystems and the impact of climate change. The project will provide technology-rich laboratories, environmental rooms, seawater systems, experimental tanks, classrooms, offices, and conference rooms.

The Advanced Medical Research Institute of Canada (AMRIC) broke ground in December of 2015 on a CAD$12 million biomedical laboratory in Sudbury, Ontario. The project involves the conversion of an existing building into a 14,000-sf research facility to support the discovery and development of innovative therapies for a variety of diseases and conditions, with a special focus on personalized medicine. Completion is expected in 2017.

The University of Utah Medical Center is building a 130,000-sf hospital in Farmington. Supporting research, teaching, and patient care, the facility will house the Huntsman Cancer Institute as well as providing an urgent care center, surgical suites for inpatient and outpatient procedures, clinical space for primary care and medical specialties, radiology, a diagnostic laboratory, and a pharmacy. General contractor Layton Construction began work on the project in June of 2015 and completion is expected in August of 2016.

The University of Georgia broke ground in December of 2015 on $25 million Center for Molecular Medicine in Athens. Designed by Flad Architects, the 45,000-sf project will provide biomedical research laboratories, a 7,500-sf vivarium, a microscopy suite, a cell culture lab, environmental rooms, faculty offices, and a conference room.

Mary Kay will begin construction in July of 2016 on its global research, development, and manufacturing campus in Lewisville, Texas. Featuring advanced production technologies for cosmetics, the $100 million facility will accommodate 600 employees, including both researchers and manufacturing staff. Completion is expected in early 2018.

The University of Maine dedicated the $13.8 million Harold Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Laboratory in Orono in November of 2015. Supporting the prototyping and testing of coastal, offshore, and underwater structures such as turbines, platforms, and ships, the project features a wave pool with a rotating wind machine capable of replicating hurricane conditions. The facility is located in the Advanced Structures and Composites Center, where a research and development lab for the study of thermoplastic materials is also being constructed.

Sacramento State University is planning to build the $91 million Science II facility in Sacramento, Calif. Providing advanced teaching labs and classrooms for programs in biology and chemistry, the design-build project will include faculty and student research space as well as areas for informal collaboration. Groundbreaking is expected in spring of 2017. The existing home of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Sequoia Hall, will also be renovated to provide updated laboratories.