Perkins&Will

Most academic science buildings constructed in the mid-20th century were not designed to support the interdisciplinary, collaborative, and entrepreneurial dynamics of modern engineering teaching and research that occupy these buildings today. While motivations for renovation can range from the need to update outdated building systems, to the desire to improve the school’s ability to recruit new talent and donors, most major renewal projects share similar challenges of aging infrastructure, complex logistics, and phased implementation. Using examples from recent renovations at Cornell University, Ohio State University, and the University of Massachusetts, principals from Perkins+Will share how these and other challenges can be addressed.

Marshall University opened Stephen J. Kopp Hall in September of 2019 in Huntington, Va. Designed by Perkins+Will and Edward Tucker Architects, the 49,500-sf building offers instructional spaces, administrative offices, pharmacological labs, and research facilities for the School of Pharmacy. Stephen J. Kopp Hall is strategically sited in a new health sciences precinct to support the growth of interdisciplinary education programs.

The University of Cincinnati opened the $61 million Health Sciences Building in September of 2019. Designed by Perkins+Will and Moody Nolan, the 117,000-sf facility accommodates interprofessional education programs for the College of Allied Health Sciences. A curved glass curtainwall allows abundant natural light to illuminate the four-story structure, which offers flexible lecture halls, classrooms, and labs for interactive learning.

Towson University is planning to construct a $166 million facility for the College of Health Professions in Towson, Md. Collocating the college's undergraduate and graduate departments in a single integrated structure, the 229,000-sf facility will accommodate programs in nursing, health sciences, occupational therapy, occupational science, speech-language pathology, and audiology. The collaborative project is being designed by Perkins+Will and JMT Architecture.

Northwestern University opened the $560 million Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center in Chicago in June of 2019. Designed by Perkins+Will, the 12-story, 625,000-sf facility provides the Feinberg School of Medicine with integrated laboratory neighborhoods for the study of cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.