Industry News

Southern Research Institute began site work in November of 2011 for a business incubator facility in Birmingham, Ala. The $4.6 million project will support commercialization of research discoveries for the company's defense and engineering divisions. The 18,000-sf facility will include a large structures lab for the development of aircraft and satellite components. 

The University of California, Berkeley dedicated the $267 million Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences in October of 2011. Designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, the 200,000-gsf, five-story facility provides 30 flexible research labs, a teaching lab, lecture halls, seminar rooms, a brain imaging center, and biocontainment space. An animal research laboratory and vivarium is located on the basement level. The center houses the Henry H. Wheeler Jr.

The University of Virginia dedicated the $75 million Physical and Life Sciences Research Building in October of 2011 in Charlottesville. Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the five-story, 100,000-sf facility provides flexible research laboratories for 25 faculty members and their teams. The basement houses low-vibration space for advanced instrumentation. Construction manager W.M. Jordan Company of Richmond delivered the project in 39 months.

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is planning to build the $294 million Center for Innovative Science. The 350,000-sf facility will house 375 researchers and support staff. The project includes renovation of an existing 150,000-sf building and 200,000 sf of new construction. The Center for Innovative Science will accommodate research on personalized medicine, the biology of cancer and aging, and genetic and environmental factors that contribute to disease. Occupancy is expected in late 2014.