Adaptive Reuse

Data from recent studies analyzing space utilization at colleges and universities across the country indicates a post-pandemic shift toward supporting hybrid education models that blend remote learning with in-person instruction. The studies were designed to analyze the impact of technology-intensive hybrid and experiential learning modalities on higher education while identifying key considerations, best practices, and metrics that can help space planners create more efficient, flexible environments that meet the needs of today’s students, faculty, and staff. Notably, in addition to an increased acceptance of remote learning, students and faculty also desire a return to in-person learning. This dichotomy is driving institutions to adapt hybrid education models that combine online education with active-learning classrooms that require sophisticated IT infrastructure and casual social environments that facilitate informal learning and collaboration.

Northwestern University began construction in April of 2024 on an interior renovation of the Donald P. Jacobs Center in Evanston, Ill. Designed by William Rawn Associates and Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects, the transformed facility will act as a beacon of innovation in the social sciences where tomorrow’s leaders will explore new solutions to pressing global challenges. The existing 340,000-sf structure most recently housed the Kellogg School of Management and was built in phases between 1972 and 2001.

Lonza is investing $1.2 billion to purchase a pharmaceutical manufacturing campus in Vacaville, Calif. Presently occupied by Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche, the 427,000-sf complex provides a total bioreactor capacity of approximately 330 liters. Lonza is offering employment to 750 personnel at the site, which will continue to supply its current products at a committed volume of 30 percent throughout 2025.

Oxford Properties is transforming Victoria House in central London into a vibrant destination for biomedical research. Developed in partnership with Pioneer Group, the £70 million project involves the conversion of 220,000 sf of the building's 300,000-sf internal area to provide sophisticated wet labs and write-up areas.

Increasing demand for BSL-3 and ABSL-3 lab space in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is driving up interest in renovating existing research facilities to accommodate these high-containment spaces. Even a small BSL-3 lab can be a costly undertaking, with special attention required for security of both personnel and biohazards, location in the building, and waste disposal, as well as the design and commissioning of exhaust system.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is planning to establish a biomedical research facility in Suffern, N.Y. The company recently invested $39 million to acquire the 235,000-sf Avon Innovation Center. Sited on 10 acres, the three-story structure originally housed chemistry labs and support spaces for the development of cosmetics, fragrances, and skincare products. HLW designed the facility, which was constructed between 2003 and 2005 by Skanska USA Building.

AstraZeneca is investing $300 million to establish a cell therapy manufacturing facility in Rockville, Md. Developed by Alexandria Real Estate Equites, the Class A+ property is located in the vibrant innovation ecosystem of the Alexandria Center for Life Science at Shady Grove. AstraZeneca has executed a 13-year lease for the entire 84,264-rsf building.

University Health Network of Toronto, Canada’s largest research healthcare system, increased space efficiency and improved employee morale by reengineering its practices and workspaces to accommodate a hybrid work model. Of the 6 million sf occupied by the network, 1 million sf was office space, 200,000 sf of which was used by people who could be hybrid workers. The transition required a concentrated change management strategy, an investment in technology, and a reconfiguration of space and the way it was managed.

Michigan State University’s first new instructional building in 50 years incorporates the disparate elements of a long-mothballed power plant, modular infrastructure, and mass timber. The facility on the East Lansing campus consolidates MSU’s large core undergraduate STEM courses under one roof, with both wet and dry teaching labs, classrooms, and student support space.

The University of Colorado Boulder saved a mid-century building from demolition by refurbishing it -- and funding it -- in stages. They continued to use the building as the students and faculty decided the best use for each space, overcoming issues of low floor-to-floor heights, inadequate mechanical systems, and asbestos. 

The University of Minnesota is renovating and expanding the historic Fraser Hall to create a central destination for chemistry programs on the Twin Cities campus. Designed by VJAA and BWBR Architects, the $144.7 million Chemistry Undergraduate Teaching Laboratories initiative involves the demolition of a portion of the existing building, a 95-year-old law library, and the removal of an addition built in 1954.

Prince Street Partners is planning a 282,000-sf life science complex in Redwood City, Calif. Designed by Brick, now part of HGA, the project involves the adaptive reuse of an existing 85,000-sf building and the demolition of two other structures. A new five-story, 197,000-sf facility sited atop a two-level garage will be constructed to provide leasable lab and office environments for BSL-1 and BSL-2 research programs.

HITT Contracting will relocate its headquarters to a planned 270,000-sf development in Falls Church, Va. Designed by Gensler, the six-story facility will advance the firm's aspiration to redefine the future of construction through innovation, partnership, and sustainability. The project involves the transformation of an existing office structure, previously a satellite campus operated by Virginia Tech, into a collaborative educational hub for the built environment.

Mayo Clinic is planning a $5 billion redevelopment and expansion of its healthcare campus in Rochester, Minn. Designed by Foster + Partners and CannonDesign, the strategic initiative will introduce new facilities that combine innovative care concepts and digital technologies to transform the patient experience, advance translational research, and improve outcomes. Comprising five new buildings, related infrastructure, and utilities, the project will provide a total of approximately 2.4 million sf of space.

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is constructing a 39,200-sf research facility to catalyze innovation and discovery in engineering, computing, and the sciences. Built to accommodate unknown end users, the two-story structure will offer 18 flexible laboratories that can be customized to support wet, dry, or multimodal programs. The highly adaptable project was designed by HBT Architects, now part of MRB Group. DGA Builders is acting as construction manager with occupancy anticipated in fall of 2024.