Industry News

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) will open the 305,000-sf Aerospace Technology Campus (ATC) in Richmond, BC, in September 2007. Designed by Kasian Architecture, the $65 million campus is sited adjacent to Vancouver International Airport and will house aerospace education and training. The facility features interior acoustic tiles to minimize noise from passing aircraft and houses classrooms, workshops, and a 40,000-square-foot glass hangar that can accommodate up to 20 training aircrafts.

Michigan State University dedicated its $10 million Energy and Automotive Research Laboratories facility on August 24, 2007. The 29,000-sf building will accommodate research on engine efficiency, vehicle emission reductions, and alternate fuel and energy sources. The research facility includes a powertrain lab, two test engine cells, and a cold room for engine turnover testing in temperatures of 40 degrees below zero.

The University of Chicago has appointed Laurence Hill as Associate Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories. The position was created due to a new University contract with Fermilab and will include responsibility for site office operations, University contract management, and board staffing for Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

Santa Ana, Calif.-based Advanced Medical Optics has begun construction on the 180,000-sf Center of Excellence for Manufacturing in Milpitas, Calif. Designed by Ware Malcolm, the building is comprised of 80,000 sf of office and 100,000 sf of manufacturing, including a laser surgery demonstration/showroom, a reception area, training facilities, conference facilities, and offices. Construction is slated for completion in December 2007. The general contractor is San Francisco-based BCCI Construction.

Siemens Institute for Advanced Medicine is constructing a $150 million facility at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. The project received $13.5 million in funding from the Canadian federal government in summer of 2007, for a total federal investment to date of $26.5 million. The 100,000-sf facility will house a neuroscience research department, surgery facilities, and R&D space for testing for advanced operating tools and technologies.