Plenary Sessions
A new benchmark for convergent research facilities: Key departures from conventional lab planning
Stanford University’s new award-winning research complex brings together Chemistry, Engineering Medicine, and Human Health (CHEM-H) with the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institutes to deliver groundbreaking research, improve human health and eradicate disease. Zach Pozner and Stephen Chu provide rationales for key departures from conventional lab planning, highlight innovative features of the light-filled lab “neighborhoods” and “living rooms”, detail flexibility and reconfigurability features of laboratories, set out new lab/office/support metrics, and illustrate how a shared-resource space plan supports the convergence of disciplines among 40 principal investigators.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 8:40AM - 9:05AM |
The latest thinking on facilities for advanced materials, 4D biomolecular science, quantum chemistry
The freshly-opened Chemistry Building at University of Maryland delivers state-of-the-art infrastructure to support research in sustainable advanced materials, 4-dimensional biomolecular science, quantum chemistry, and more. Chemistry Professor and Department Chair Janice Reutt-Robey was involved in every step of design, construction, and now occupancy, and in this session she examines rationales for decisions on programming, lab configurations, and future-facing flexibility across a variety of climate-controlled environments, vibration-mitigated spaces, and mixed-discipline research labs. She highlights key lessons learned along the way, and how the early planning projections on space needs have worked out, both through the project and after move-in.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 9:05AM - 9:30AM |
A peerless experience for digital innovation: George Mason University’s Fuse facility
The George Mason University “Fuse” facility now nearing completion will deliver a peerless innovation experience to spark new ideas, solve important global challenges, and redefine the modern university’s role in catalyzing business and talent. Alex Iszard previews the potent mix of university R&D and education programs, as well as corporate innovation labs, incubators, accelerators, and co-working facilities, retail, a below-grade parking garage, and enhanced public spaces. He provides rationales for decisions and investments in specialized labs including robotics, AR/VR, simulation, network, data visualization, and secure facilities, as well as a future-ready, high-tech, sustainable infrastructure that can respond to the accelerated pace of change.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 9:55AM - 10:20AM |
Mass timber engineering facilities: New findings on capabilities, advantages, and caveats
Mass timber now figures prominently in sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives, but does this material help or hamper facilities housing advanced programs in artificial intelligence, robotics, energy, and materials science? Scott Ashford and Libby Ramirez chart Oregon State University’s journey from skepticism to confidence in the use of mass timber for the Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex, which will house team-based transdisciplinary research and teaching groups, an NVIDIA supercomputer, a cleanroom, and advanced science, teaching, and prototyping labs. They highlight key performance specifications to factor into decision-making and designs including vibration, heat, acoustics, finishes, and user experience, the additional sustainability features being adopted, and the anticipated impact on campus carbon targets.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 10:25AM - 10:50AM |
Disruptive effects of virtual- and augmented-reality pedagogy on capital plans
As institutions struggle to expand science & engineering program capacities, what role can virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) play in reducing, replacing, or supplementing the need for costly lab space and infrastructure? Chris Morett illustrates the VR/AR technology trajectory including pilot projects, early wins, potential uses, and limitations. He extrapolates what it means for planning future physical science and engineering spaces, and new location dynamics that should be factored in. He delivers insights and provide an empowering framework to know what questions to ask, what to look out for, and when to act.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 3:45PM - 4:10PM |
Changing the research space use culture: Management model development, metrics, policies, rollout
Moving from traditional space use policies to the innovative solutions required today can be rocky, and here you’ll get insights from Augusta University’s space management model deployment for high-profile research space. Barbara Manley-Smith details the development, integration, and launch of a comprehensive space management system including criteria for effectiveness, precision metrics, and management guidelines. She identifies flexibility features for incorporating future metrics and modifying existing processes in response to changing research priorities, and the resources and processes to ensure effective culture change. She provides key lessons learned, results to-date, and advice for other institutions embarking on research space utilization initiatives.
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Friday, Nov 15th 9:15AM - 9:40AM |
Renovation launches activity-based models for science, engineering, and office environments
A legacy building renovation at McGill University is creating a state-of-the-art research, teaching, and learning hub, and serving as a catalyst for dissolving boundaries between disciplines. Anna Bendix demonstrates the application of activity-based models to maximize the value of spaces, equipment, resources, and knowledge, deliver facility adaptability for rapidly evolving needs, and bring researchers of multiple departments and faculties under one roof. She examines the new metrics for laboratory planning and support spaces, and how the activity-based model is being extended to office spaces.
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Friday, Nov 15th 9:45AM - 10:10AM |
Town Hall Knowledge Roundup
This end-of-day session is where key ideas, new developments, and findings that have been revealed over the course of the entire two-day conference (including sessions you may have missed) get clarified, expanded upon, and affirmed or debated. This is also the opportunity to get answers from industry leaders and the entire audience to specific questions on key and challenging issues.
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Friday, Nov 15th 2:55PM - 3:40PM |
Concurrent Forum Sessions
(Pre-selection is not required.)
Recruit the best and brightest: Winning features of applied science & engineering facilities
To successfully compete for students and faculty, higher ed is engaged in an "arms race" of facilities enhancements which foster collaboration and cross-disciplinary convergence, student-centered experiential learning, and allow for extended learning opportunities with real-world applications. In this session, the RFD team leverages their extensive experience to distill the latest trends and planning solutions for next-generation applied science and engineering facilities. They identify critical decisions to make and pitfalls to avoid when incorporating the complex systems inherent to these facilities. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from recent projects across North America and dive deep into three compelling case studies.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 11:10AM - 12:05PM |
Friday, Nov 15th 10:35AM - 11:30AM |
Computational research, AI, and high-performance computing: Modernization strategies to stay competitive
The skyrocketing influence of artificial intelligence and the digital transformation of the business world are driving explosive growth in computer science programs -- nearly 15% by 2030. What spaces and infrastructure should institutions be putting in place now to successfully compete for top faculty, students, and funding? Using the recent renovation/addition of an interdisciplinary computational research and education hub, session leaders provide insights into the functions of computer science departments and which activities are most prevalent and demanding for research and teaching groups. They set out best practices for implementing high-performance computing (HPC) data centers, identifying sustainability opportunities, and planning for the future.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 11:10AM - 12:05PM |
Friday, Nov 15th 11:45AM - 12:40PM |
Hands-on learning: Enabling program growth in existing (and future) building footprints
Colleges and universities with high growth programs are having to accommodate additional students with limited facility expansion, leading to tremendous pressure on existing spaces and college resources. Here you’ll see the space use efficiency steps University of Colorado Boulder is taking to prepare for 20-40% enrollment growth in the College of Engineering and Applied Science over the next 5- to 7-years. Session leaders examine the results of a study on existing hands-on learning and project activity spaces, and opportunities identified to increase effective space use, improve student experience, and reprioritize future projects. They illustrate national trends on university enrollment and space use, highlight challenges to be aware of when repurposing spaces, and developing a roadmap for the future.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 11:10AM - 12:05PM |
Friday, Nov 15th 8:05AM - 9:00AM |
Planning the AI pipeline: Spaces and strategies universities need for the next tech revolution
Institutions are scrambling to create a pipeline of undergrads, masters, and PhDs for an AI-fueled computing - data - tech revolution workforce. Here you’ll see the space needs required to support collaborative ecosystems of innovation and bring together academics, industry, government, and surrounding communities. Session leaders highlight novel facility and operational planning processes that minimize the effects of construction lag times on rapidly-changing programs and stakeholder groups. They examine five university projects with audacious goals that are rethinking traditional science and engineering building molds and creating more nimble and future-facing spaces.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 1:10PM - 2:05PM |
Friday, Nov 15th 1:45PM - 2:40PM |
What the rapid evolution of STEM facilities suggests is coming next
Over the last decade The University of Maryland has transformed a campus precinct into a vibrant, STEM district with facility initiatives that foster interdisciplinary convergence. Core to this transformation and realization are three STEM buildings for bioengineering building, interdisciplinary chemistry, and integrated engineering. Session leaders chart the rapid iteration of solutions for inspiring innovation, incorporating robust practical infrastructure to anticipate continual change, and achieving carbon neutrality cost-effectively. They illustrate a framework for using facilities to establish innovation communities, how complementary facility planning nurtures interdisciplinary connections and strengthens the overall campus experience, and how future facilities will carry the advances forward.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 1:10PM - 2:05PM |
Friday, Nov 15th 10:35AM - 11:30AM |
Advanced manufacturing facilities in education and research
Strength in Advanced Manufacturing (AM) is critical to the US economy and national security, but less understood is the ecosystem of education and research foundational to AM innovation, and the facilities required to support this ecosystem. Presenters examine the planning and design of AM facilities in the context of the web of interrelationships between workforce skills training for AM, integration of AM in engineering education, and applied AM research. They illustrate facility solutions developed for multiple institutions with unique combinations of high-bay AM space, prototyping and testing resources for industry and academia, workforce training areas, multi-disciplinary research labs, and more.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 1:10PM - 2:05PM |
Friday, Nov 15th 1:45PM - 2:40PM |
The Oregon State Engineering Playbook: A lighter, strategic, and more nimble approach to master planning
Over the last two decades, Oregon State University's College of Engineering (COE) has grown to almost 12,000 students, and with that growth, the academic master planning process has similarly undergone dramatic, positive changes. Session leaders illustrate how OSU's "Engineering Next" master plan for the College of Engineering provides a focused, clear, concise, and flexible framework for practical near-term facility improvements with outsized impact on mission resulting in planning that is faster, more affordable, and more impactful. They demonstrate how shorter process schedules can lead to more focused and impactful planning, and how the process increased research capacity by 25% within existing buildings while accelerating the schedule by three years.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 2:20PM - 3:15PM |
Friday, Nov 15th 1:45PM - 2:40PM |
Construction cost forecast + timing strategies for higher education capital projects
Mounting pressure on construction costs will impact all science and technology facility projects on the drawing boards, both new construction and renovations. Attend this session to get better pricing and more accurate budget figures, and better understand construction cost drivers for different science and technology facilities. The Vermeulens team delivers up-to-date construction cost forecasts based on economic conditions, job creation and cost data from more than 100 projects. Using analyses of equities, GDP, construction labor markets and their national construction weather map, they illustrate regional construction pricing targets for the next two years and demonstrate bid and purchasing strategies that lock in costs and reduce risk.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 2:20PM - 3:15PM |
Friday, Nov 15th 11:45AM - 12:40PM |
Research Institutes: Success factors for converging disciplines, talent, space, and funding
The “institute” model of coalescing talent, funding, space, and disciplines can accelerate interdisciplinary convergent research and advance discoveries to solve the world's greatest challenges. This session delivers the organizational and physical best practices to make it happen. Session leaders identify key process elements in creating the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, from engaging the right partners and anticipating and navigating layers of governance, to programming the space types required for complex research missions. They examine project examples, highlight potential challenges, and distill success factors for creating culture, designing space for unknown faculty, and facilitating economic development.
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Thursday, Nov 14th 2:20PM - 3:15PM |
Next-level science on display: Engaging internal + external stakeholders for programs and funding
How does the experience in your science and engineering facilities factor into the bigger picture of funding and effective research? Are you effectively telling the story of the programs and research you’re producing? John Roberson, CEO of Advent (an experience design firm) guides attendees through a step-by-step plan to tell your institution’s story in your spaces in a way that moves audiences and persuades them to action -- whether that action is enrollment, internal collaboration, industry partnerships, or external funding. He profiles case studies of high-ROI storytelling technology implementations that are forging connections with stakeholders and creating a competitive advantage.
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Friday, Nov 15th 8:05AM - 9:00AM |
Redefining learning and practice: Health + hard sciences synergies fuel capital project initiatives
Interprofessional Education and Practice (IPE) at Ball State University has been extended to health and hard science disciplines, redefining how students learn and practice in their profession and giving rise to a whole new academic science quadrangle defined by a 165,000-sf Health Professions Building and a 206,000-sf Foundational Sciences building. Session leaders illustrate how the University and design team identified the synergies to bring multiple departments under one roof, the facility requirements for IPE pedagogy, and decisions on flexibility for growth. They profile the project impacts of a “one stop shop” community clinic, and a high commitment to sustainability.
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Friday, Nov 15th 8:05AM - 9:00AM |
Engineering buildings: In-demand features, cutting-edge designs, and next steps
With rapid advances in technology and industry, providing work-ready graduates can be a moving target that requires sophisticated, adaptable, and modernized engineering spaces and infrastructure. Through three case studies of new engineering buildings, the Stantec team compares different approaches that leading institutions have taken to stay competitive and relevant to industry, student, and faculty demands. Which strategy will take your institution to the next level? Session leaders identify features that distinguish and enhance engineering programs and buildings, trending components that influence overall layouts, and decision making on levels of adaptability.
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Friday, Nov 15th 10:35AM - 11:30AM |
An adaptable chassis for program responsiveness, growth, and resiliency
Two institutions, one building, 100% yet-to-be-recruited users, and changing translational research priorities. These are the demanding conditions that put research facility flexibility and adaptability concepts to the test, and here you’ll see the results through a case study of the Texas Instruments Biomedical Engineering & Sciences Building. Session leaders chart the process of defining a balance of facility capability and cost that will sustain multi-disciplinary research programs into the future. They detail key elements of a flexible chassis solution supporting a variety of research typologies, recruitment, and collaboration, and how the adaptability concepts responded to end user buildouts during construction.
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Friday, Nov 15th 11:45AM - 12:40PM |