The University of North Texas at Dallas celebrated the opening of a $100 million STEM facility in December of 2025 that will expand pathways into healthcare and science for current and future students. Addressing statewide practitioner shortages, the 120,220-sf building is a learning destination for fields such as nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and optometry, as well as housing programs in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and neuroscience.
The University of Virginia is constructing the $350 million Paul and Diane Manning Institute for Biotechnology in Charlottesville to catalyze breakthroughs in the fields of cellular therapy, gene therapy, nanotechnology, and drug delivery. Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, the flexible building will provide 355,809 sf of space for leading-edge laboratories, core facilities, advanced manufacturing suites, and clinical environments.
City of Hope celebrated the opening of a $452 million specialty cancer facility in December of 2025 in Irvine, Calif. Designed by HOK, the 73-bed hospital accommodates intensive care and medical-surgical units, four operating rooms, two procedure rooms, and an eight-bed evaluation and treatment center. The six-story structure also accommodates an inpatient rehabilitation gym, an immersive multifaith spiritual zone, and outdoor terraces on each floor.
The University of California, Berkeley broke ground in November of 2025 on the Bakar Labs for Energy + Materials to establish beacon for excellence in entrepreneurship. The 146,000-sf facility will provide world-class wet laboratories and collaboration space for research initiatives and up to 75 early-stage companies. Designed by Gensler to ensure flexibility and adaptability through a reconfigurable framework, the five-story structure will house 3D printing studios, offices, and meeting and conference rooms.
The University of Texas at Austin is constructing the Autry C. Stephens Engineering Discovery Building as a vibrant new home for the departments of Chemical Engineering and Petrol & Geosystems Engineering. Designed by CO Architects and BGK Architects, the $316 million facility will further the Cockrell School of Engineering’s mission to educate future leaders, promote innovation, and foster industry partnerships within the energy sector.
Breakthrough Properties completed construction in November of 2025 on One Helix in the Netherlands. Strategically sited within the campus of Amsterdam University Medical Center, the purpose-built research facility will leverage connections with the surrounding academic, life sciences, and biopharma ecosystem to catalyze life-changing scientific advancements. The 70,126-sf building was designed by UNStudio to offer world-class laboratory and office environments that foster collaboration and innovation.
Santa Monica College officially opened the Mathematics + Science Building in November of 2025 in California to elevate STEM education. Designed by Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign, the 110,000-sf facility brings together the departments of earth sciences, mathematics, life sciences, and physical sciences to spark interdisciplinary collaboration and discovery.
University of Michigan Health opened a $920 million clinical inpatient tower in November of 2025 in Ann Arbor. Designed by HOK and Integrated Design Solutions, the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion delivers high-level specialty care services for neurology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, spine conditions, and cardiovascular medicine, as well as cardiac, vascular, and thoracic surgery.
Coriell Institute for Medical Research broke ground in October of 2025 on a 92,000-sf life sciences campus in Camden. Created in partnership with NJEDA, the Lewis L. Coriell Medical Research Center will advance the frontiers of biomedical science to catalyze critical breakthroughs in cancer treatment, stem cell technology, epigenetics, and drug discovery.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham opened the Altec/Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building in October of 2025. Designed by William Blackstock Architects, the $78 million project involved the renovation and expansion of the existing Lyons-Harrison Research Building to accommodate leading-edge labs, computational suites, meeting rooms, offices, and purpose-built venues for innovation and collaboration.
Arizona State University opened the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 12 (ISTB 12) in October of 2025, creating a vibrant gateway to the Polytechnic campus in Mesa. Designed by SmithGroup, the 173,194-gsf facility houses the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering’s new School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks. The three-story development will accelerate work in additive manufacturing, robotics, artificial intelligence, cyber manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, and clean energy.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso is constructing a $156 million comprehensive cancer hub and a $186 million clinical sciences building to ensure access to treatment throughout the West Texas region and enhance patient outcomes. The Steve and Nancy Fox Cancer Center is being created in partnership with University Medical Center of El Paso, and is supported by over $130 million in state funding and a $30 million county bond.
The University of Minnesota opened a reimagined undergraduate chemistry education facility in October 2025 on its Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis. Transforming the historic Fraser Hall, a 97-year-old law library, the $144.7 million project comprised the demolition of selected portions of the building, 30,730 gsf of renovation, and 91,350 sf of new construction. A mechanical penthouse was also created.
Academic STEM facilities need the flexibility to accommodate an expanding range of disciplines and pedagogical methods while equipped with an adaptable infrastructure responsive to occupancy shifts and technology advances. Today’s projects often span the complexity spectrum, from soft spaces and graduate student workstations outside the lab to a zero-point energy (ZPE) environment for quantum physics research or an engineering lab housing a wind tunnel. While the terms “flexibility” and “adaptability” are often used interchangeably to describe the requirements of a lab building, planners at Research Facilities Design (RFD) draw a clear distinction between the two. In their context, flexibility is what occurs below the ceiling, for example, movable casework that allows a lab to accommodate new equipment or new research opportunities. Adaptability refers to what happens above the ceiling, such as robust MEP systems, well-organized ductwork and piping racks, and spare capacity at the electrical panel to support new or expanded programs in the building.
Rowan University opened the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine in October of 2025 on its West Campus in Mullica Hill, N.J. Supported by $75 million in state funding, the pioneering facility addresses an increased national demand for veterinary professionals and advances the wellbeing of animals and humans in alignment with the One Health initiative.
