University of Oregon Constructs Second Phase of Knight Campus

The University of Oregon is constructing the second phase of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact in Eugene. Designed by ZGF Architects, Building 2 will double capacity for the research and development of biomedical technologies and expand space for academic programs, engineering, and applied science. The 184,000-sf project will house the Biofabrication and Bioanalysis Core Facility and the Center for Biomedical Data Science to forge cross-disciplinary partnerships between bioengineers and computational scientists, enabling the translation of critical insights derived from big data into the creation of innovative therapeutics.

Supported by a $500 million donation from Phil and Penny Knight, the four-story structure will accommodate teaching and experimental labs, student maker spaces, and diverse meeting venues on its second level, as well as a sky bridge linking to Building 1. The east side of the third and fourth floors will contain research neighborhoods with open labs and support environments, strategically interconnected to office suites on the west side featuring write-up and collaboration areas. 

On the ground floor, the Papé Family Innovation Center will provide incubation modules with sophisticated wet labs that can be leased by a range of startup and spin-in companies to catalyze entrepreneurship. A double-height forum will serve as the social heart of the development, accompanied by a large, multipurpose seminar room, a computational suite, and a public café. Numerous terraces and outdoor green zones will promote occupant wellbeing.

Targeting LEED Gold certification, the sustainable structure will achieve over 40 percent energy savings by incorporating a high-performance façade, daylight harvesting, and efficient HVAC modalities such as heat recovery, chilled beams, and enhanced ventilation measures. Hoffmann Construction Company is the general contractor and occupancy is slated for March of 2026. MIR provided visualization services.