Education: Biology

Roanoke College is constructing the Shaun McConnon Discovery Center in Salem, Va. Designed by VMDO Architects, the $60 million project will advance the study of biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, and engineering. Forming a dynamic link between the existing Life Science building and Trexler Hall, the four-story facility will feature eight teaching labs, classrooms, and technology-rich fabrication and visualization labs to provide opportunities for hands-on learning.

Folsom Lake College opened Oak Hall Science Building in August of 2025 to expand program offerings and foster educational excellence for the next generation of STEM professionals. Designed by HMC Architects with Research Facilities Design (RFD) as laboratory consultant, the $86 million facility houses classrooms and lecture halls alongside a 4,000-sf science center at the main entrance.

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) broke ground on an academic and research building for the physical sciences in July of 2025 in the Netherlands. The dynamic facility will colocate departments from the Faculty of the Applied Sciences on the college’s south campus and stimulate excellence in education, discovery, and collaboration.

Morgan State University broke ground in May of 2025 on the $337 million Science Center in Baltimore. Designed by Moody Nolan, CannonDesign, and K. Dixon Architecture, the 246,435-gsf building will become the centerpiece of scientific research and instruction on campus. This new home for the School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences will provide 135,539 asf of leading-edge space for interactive learning, innovation, and discovery.

Houston Christian University broke ground in April of 2025 on the Smith Engineering, Science and Nursing Building to provide new opportunities for transformative education and further solidify its position as a leader in academic innovation. Kirksey Architecture designed the $60 million facility to meet the functional needs of both the College of Science and Engineering and the Linda Dunham School of Nursing while creating a vibrant destination for all students.

Old Dominion University broke ground in April of 2025 on the Biological Sciences Building in Norfolk, Va. Representing the largest capital construction project in the institution's history, the $184 million development will enable students and faculty to explore a wide range of biomedical and ecological fields. Ballinger and VMDO Architects designed the 162,586-sf structure, which will provide flexible research labs for up to 30 investigators, teaching labs, core facilities, classrooms, and a 120-seat lecture hall.

Norfolk State University broke ground in April of 2025 on the $118 million New Science Building in Norfolk, Va. Designed by Work Program Architects in partnership with SmithGroup, the 131,376-sf facility will offer future-ready environments for multidisciplinary learning and discovery. Housing the departments of biology, chemistry, and physics, the four-story structure will enable the next generation of scientists to engage in immersive education and develop innovative solutions to real-word problems.

The College of William & Mary opened a $76 million expansion of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) in April of 2025 in Gloucester Point, Va. Designed by Baskervill, Chesapeake Bay Hall provides a new home for the Institute's four academic departments: Aquatic Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Fisheries Science, and Physical Sciences.

Fresno City College opened the $87 million Science Building in March of 2025 to expand instructional capacity for students seeking to enter in-demand STEM professions. Designed by Lionakis, with RFD as the laboratory consultant, the 87,000-sf facility provides technology-enabled laboratories and instructional venues for courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering. The three-story structure features a maker space sponsored by Chevron, flexible study environments, and tutoring areas.

Denver University is planning to construct the STEM Horizons building to expand and accelerate vital research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Designed by Anderson Mason Dale with Research Facilities Design (RFD) as laboratory design consultant, the six-story structure will provide 87,000 sf of new and renovated space for hands-on learning, research, business incubation, and community partnerships.

Pennsylvania Western University is constructing a 63,500-sf science building to advance education and research in the natural sciences. Located on the PennWest California campus, the $39 million facility was designed by DRAW Collective to foster experiential learning and put science on display. Driving interdisciplinary collaboration, the three-story structure will house 17 labs and 19 science support areas tailored for disciplines including biology, physics, chemistry, microbiology, ecology, and anatomy and physiology.

Barnard College is constructing the Roy & Diana Vagelos Science Center in New York to foster excellence in STEM education, innovation, and scholarship. Representing an investment of approximately $240 million, the expansion and renovation will transform the existing Altschul Hall into a modern hub for innovative teaching and research. The 169,000-sf structure will house all of Barnard’s bench sciences, including the departments of biology, chemistry, environmental science, neuroscience and behavior, and physics and astronomy. 

Lehigh University's new Health, Science & Technology Building is designed to break down silos between academic departments, to enhance faculty research and better prepare students for tomorrow’s transdisciplinary world. Three different lab modules—with no walls between them—facilitate easy transitions from one use to another, as well as expansion and contraction as needs change. And collaboration spaces are strategically located between labs throughout the building.

The University of California, Riverside broke ground in October of 2024 on the Undergraduate Teaching & Learning Facility. Providing much-needed instructional space for multiple colleges and departments, the $156.3 million building will offer a seating capacity of approximately 1,700. The 100,700-gsf structure will accommodate two lecture halls, 19 classrooms, six biology labs, and four chemistry labs. An expanded dance studio with a sprung floor will be complemented by an outdoor performance area.

Appalachian State University is constructing the $61.5 million STEM Academic Building in Boone, N.C. Designed by Lord Aeck Sargent, the 50,000-sf facility will feature sophisticated venues for environmental science education. Flexible classrooms with built-in dividers will accommodate a range of programs, complemented by a full suite of biology labs. Supporting K-12 educational partnerships, the public-facing project will foster a greater understanding of the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachian region.