When Texas A&M created a new set of buildings for its veterinary school, it sought to provide spaces that would work for current methods of teaching sciences, but also flexibility to accommodate future change. Change, as we all know, can be difficult, so the process included not just demountable walls and flexible furnishings, but also a focus on change management among the faculty.
Rice University is planning to renovate a former Sears building in Houston to create a 270,000-sf innovation center called The Ion. Providing event spaces, meeting rooms, and business incubation suites, the collaborative facility will support data science research initiatives and the development of new digital technologies. The complex, which will include dining and entertainment amenities, will host public programs including entrepreneurial workshops, networking sessions, training courses, and industry lectures.
Johns Hopkins University is planning to create an interdisciplinary academic hub on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. Designed by Ennead Architects with SmithGroup as architect of record, the project includes the transformation of the former Newseum facility to provide a home for the School of Advanced International Studies, as well as offering space for the Carey Business School, the School of Nursing, and the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.
Masonic Medical Research Institute is constructing a large-animal research facility in its existing building in Utica, N.Y. The $15 million project includes the renovation of a 5,500-sf basement to provide lab space for five investigators and a procedural suite for studies on pigs, sheep, goats, and rabbits. The investment will also support the recruitment of up to 30 new employees.
Ryerson University opened the Centre for Urban Innovation in January of 2018 in Toronto. Designed by Moriyama & Teshima and ERA Architects, the CAD$46 million project included the renovation and expansion of an existing structure to create a 40,000-sf facility providing wet and dry research labs, fabrication suites, a maker space, and offices for business incubation and commercialization.
Brammer Bio is developing two gene therapy manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts. The company will build out 35,000 sf in an existing 50,000-sf structure in Lexington to create a cGMP manufacturing and quality control operations center. Additionally, Brammer will renovate 8,000 sf in its 66,000-sf commercial cGMP plant in Cambridge to create new production suites to support manufacturing capacity expansion. DPS Group is providing architectural and engineering services for both projects, which are slated for completion in mid-2019.
Eastern Michigan University opened the renovated and expanded Strong Hall in Ypsilanti in January of 2019. Designed by Stantec, the $40 million project creates flexible teaching and research labs, classrooms, and lecture halls for STEM education including programs in geology, geography, physics, and astronomy. Featuring internal glass walls to put science on display, the 80,700-sf facility provides an atrium, a 200-seat auditorium, a maker space, a machine shop, a laser lab, faculty offices, conference rooms, and huddle spaces.
Georgia Southern University opened the $23 million Health Professions Academic Building in January of 2019 in Statesboro, Ga. Designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative to accommodate team-based learning, the technology-rich facility provides advanced simulation training suites, clinical skills labs, and instructional spaces. Illuminated by abundant natural light, the sustainably designed structure features the 8,193-sf St. Joseph’s/Candler Nursing Suite and the Memorial Health Active Learning Studio.
Gustavus Adolphus College is engaged in a $70 million expansion and renovation of the Nobel Hall of Science in St. Peter, Minn. Designed by Hastings+Chivetta with Research Facilities Design (RFD) as laboratory design consultant, the project includes construction of a 74,000-sf addition on the south side housing classrooms, study spaces, and labs. On the north side, a 12,400-sf expansion will highlight student/faculty research projects and showcase the College’s signature event, The Nobel Conference.
Pomona College is planning to begin construction in 2021 on the $55 million Rains Center for Sport and Recreation in Claremont, Calif. Designed by SCB, the facility will accommodate Pomona-Pitzer's athletic programs as well as acting as the campus fitness and recreation center. Supporting enhanced student recruitment and retention initiatives, the facility will feature spacious workout areas, exercise studios, general and varsity weight training rooms, team meeting suites, and administrative offices.
Weber State University opened the renovated Lindquist Hall in December of 2018 in Ogden, Utah. Designed by GSBS Architects, the four-story, 119,322-sf facility provides five labs, 34 classrooms, a 150-seat lecture hall, a computer lab, a testing center, study spaces, and 72 offices for the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences. Lindquist Hall also houses the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service and the Richard Richards Institute for Ethics.
The University of Michigan is planning to create the Central Campus Classroom Building in Ann Arbor. Designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative and Harley Ellis Devereaux, the project includes the renovation and repurposing of the historic Alexander G. Ruthven Museums Building to provide 135,000 gsf of computational research space, a 200-person multipurpose room, and administrative offices.
Children's National Health System broke ground in late November of 2018 on the Research and Innovation Campus in Washington. The project includes the renovation of four existing buildings located on 12 acres on the former Walter Reed Medical Center Campus. A 333,000-sf research and innovation facility will provide 158,000 sf of laboratory space for the study of pediatric genomics and precision medicine. The project will include a business incubator and 175,000 of shell space to accommodate future growth. Completion is expected in 2020.
The nation’s academic biomedical research facilities are largely unprepared for natural and man-made disasters that could damage buildings, equipment, IT systems, and materials, and ultimately jeopardize research and scientific careers. A recently released study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for institutions and scientists to focus on risk assessment and resilience planning to secure their capital and research investments. In order to do that successfully, institutions need to expand their emergency response and recovery plans and think beyond current building codes, which focus on the life safety needs of the occupants but have yet to account for the significant risks posed to their research programs.
The University of Illinois broke ground in October of 2018 on a $41 million renovation and expansion of the Mechanical Engineering Building in Urbana. The project includes construction of a five-story, 25,000-sf addition and extensive renovations of the existing 60,000-sf structure. The completed facility will offer active-learning classrooms, integrated teaching and project labs, a 3,000-sf student design center, meeting and event areas, a café, and 7,000 sf of maker space. Occupancy is expected in fall of 2021.
