Master Plans

George Mason University’s new Horizon Hall is being called a “game changer” as it anchors the Core Campus Project, which facilitates multidisciplinary education, active student learning, and technological innovation with ample flexibility to accommodate evolving teaching modalities. In addition to this new construction, the project includes theater renovations; the addition of green spaces, such as a meditation garden and amphitheater; expansion of a central outdoor space; the demolition of two older buildings; and extensive upgrades to the utility infrastructure. 

Brandeis University is planning a $145 million expansion of its existing science complex in Waltham, Mass. Designed by Payette, the 100,000-sf project will include the construction of a five-story building that will adjoin the atrium of the Sharpiro Science Center. The vibrant and welcoming structure will provide flexible research labs, core facilities, state-of-the-art classrooms, and maker spaces to support growing programs in applied sciences and engineering. 

The U.S. Department of Energy broke ground in October of 2022 on the $86.2 million Science and User Support Center at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, N.Y. Designed by Gensler and Burns & McDonnell, the 75,000-gsf structure will act as a welcome center and innovation hub for visiting researchers, guests, and facility users. Modern, configurable conference spaces will promote interaction among investigators as they explore interdisciplinary synergies and discover new technologies and solutions.

Trinity University opened Dicke Hall in September of 2022 in San Antonio. Designed by Lake Flato, the 40,000-sf facility provides next-generation learning environments for the Department of English, the Department of Religion, and the Humanities Collective. Putting a modern spin on how these timeless academic disciplines are explored, the three-story building serves as a gathering place for students and faculty to exchange ideas, offering numerous collaboration spaces, a screening room, a large lecture hall, and a variety of flexible classrooms.

Drexel University opened the 460,000-sf Health Sciences Building in September of 2022 in Philadelphia. Developed and owned by Wexford Science+Technology and Ventas, the leased facility is strategically sited in the uCity Square innovation district. Consolidating teaching and research activities previously dispersed in separate locations throughout the city, the 12-story tower centralizes many of Drexel’s health-related programs and integrates them into the main university campus.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories broke ground in September of 2022 on the $500 million Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre at Chalk River Laboratories in Ontario. Featuring mass timber components, the 108,000-sf building will provide state-of-the-art research environments for the development of advanced nuclear technologies. Accommodating 240 employees, the secure structure will house flexible laboratories, administrative offices, and 12 shielded hot cells with accompanying glovebox facilities.

BioMed Realty is constructing a 495,000-sf life sciences facility at Assembly Innovation Park in Somerville, Mass. Designed by Perkins&Will, the 12-story lab and office tower will provide leasable research environments for biomedical, pharmaceutical, and technology companies. With a floor-to-floor height of 15 feet, the building will offer floor plates of approximately 45,000 sf serviced by robust mechanical and electrical infrastructure.

NASA Glenn Research Center opened the Research Support Building in July of 2022 in Cleveland. Designed by TEN Arquitectos and ASA as a vibrant nexus of interaction and innovation, the two-story, 64,000-sf facility provides collaborative engineering suites, open and private offices, conference rooms, and training areas. Accommodating approximately 164 employees, the flexible and inclusive development features a communal dining area as well as a 6,000-sf outdoor commons.

The University of Pennsylvania and Longfellow Real Estate Partners are planning to construct a 455,000-sf life sciences center on the Pennovation Works property in Philadelphia. Designed by Jacobs, the project will include three structures providing a total of 387,000 sf of R&D space and 68,000 sf of biomanufacturing space for the production of cell and gene therapies.

Mayo Clinic began construction in April of 2022 on the $134.6 million Integrated Education and Research Building in Phoenix. Designed CO Architects and DFDG Architecture, the 150,000-sf facility will house the College of Medicine and Science and its five schools: the Alix School of Medicine, the School of Graduate Medical Education, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Biomedical Sciences, and the School of Continuous Professional Development.

HYM Investment Group began construction in March of 2022 on a $280 million biomanufacturing hub in Revere, Mass. Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, the six-story life sciences facility will offer leasable research environments for biomedical and pharmaceutical companies. Complemented by retail and dining amenities, the structure will feature two double-height floors for GMP production and manufacturing activities.

Kent State University broke ground in March of 2022 on a $72.3 million facility for the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Designed by Perkins& Will and The Collaborative to act as a new campus gateway, the four-story, 158,400-sf building will feature active learning classrooms, conference rooms, a business theater, a boardroom, a global forum, and a behavioral research hub.

Bristol Myers Squibb is partnering with Alexandria Real Estate Equities to create a 427,000-rsf R&D center in San Diego. Located in the Alexandria Point development, the leased facility will provide core labs for the creation of advanced biopharmaceutical therapies. Housing nearly 600 researchers and staff members, the collaborative building will consolidate employees from several regional campuses into a flexible working ecosystem for discovery and innovation.

The University of California, Davis broke ground in February of 2022 on Aggie Square in Sacramento. Designed by ZGF Architects, the first phase of the mixed-use district is being developed in association with Wexford Science + Technology and GMH Capital Partners, who will finance, construct, and own the facilities. At the heart of Aggie Square, a vibrant central plaza will offer a variety of settings for informal interaction, mobile work, and outdoor gatherings.

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is using data science to improve existing space efficiencies while fulfilling departmental growth and retention goals, reducing leased space, and fueling master planning efforts. Data analytics has become a fundamental tool since facilities staff undertook an extensive data collection and analysis project and applied what they learned to develop space assignment rules and processes.