Education: Faculty Office

McGill University is nearing the end of a 10-year project to construct 500,000 sf of research and teaching space on the site of a century-old hospital. The heritage wings of the former hospital will be rehabilitated, and state-of-the-art research and teaching functions will be accommodated in the new construction that is carefully inserted into the site. Renovated space totals 150,000 sf, with 380,000 sf of new construction. Construction is under way, and the building is set for completion in 2028, at a cost of $870 million (Canadian).

The University of British Columbia opened a CAD 139.4 million (USD 100.3 million) facility for the School of Biomedical Engineering in April of 2025 in Vancouver, Canada. Designed by Patkau Architects and Architecture49, the 158,000-sf Gordon B. Shrum Building enables hands-on education and training for students in the life sciences and catalyzes innovative solutions for pressing health challenges.

George Mason University opened the $107 million Life Sciences and Engineering Building in Manassas in March of 2025. Located on the SciTech campus, the 132,000-sf facility leverages a central location in Virginia’s tech corridor to drive advances in research and education. The four-story structure houses growing programs within the colleges of Engineering and Computing, Science, Education and Human Development, and Visual and Performing Arts.

San Diego State University began work in early 2025 on a new STEM facility to enhance student success and increase research access and productivity. SmithGroup designed this iconic campus destination to advance innovation and discovery while addressing growing industry demand for science graduates. Spanning 79,000 gsf, the five-story center will provide approximately 38,000 asf of space for instructional and research laboratories, including both wet and dry environments, as well as related support spaces and faculty offices.

Utah State University is constructing a new facility for the College of Veterinary Medicine to advance animal health, biomedical sciences, and public health. The 106,000-sf Veterinary Medical Education Building will accommodate growing programs and drive groundbreaking research, providing comprehensive training for the professionals needed to support Utah’s agricultural sector. Representing an investment of approximately $77 million, the state-funded structure will offer an additional 4,055 sf of lab space between two teaching labs.

The University of Southampton broke ground in March of 2025 on a £180 million ($230 million) teaching and learning building on the Highfield campus in the United Kingdom. Designed by Sheppard Robson to foster creativity, collaboration, and academic excellence, the 166,800-sf facility will house lecture halls, seminar rooms, and faculty office space. The five-story structure will serve as the new home for the university’s Primary Care Research Centre and the Faculty of Medicine.

Though universities may update master plans every five or 10 years, many find planning works best when it is continual and flexible to accommodate program and leadership changes. A number of projects at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (HSC) in Fort Worth demonstrate the need to assess existing spaces and develop plans for growth and flexibility, as well as the benefits of building long-term relationships with architects and other vendors.

Arkansas State University broke ground on the $33.2 million College of Veterinary Medicine in March of 2025. Designed by Cooper Mixon Architects, Archimania, and Perkins&Will, the 56,000-sf facility will feature state-of-the-art laboratory spaces, including an anatomy lab, a clinical skills lab, and a surgical skills training area. A dedicated clinical practice area, available 24/7, will enable students to hone hands-on examination and procedural competencies.

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is building the Technology Engineering Innovation Center, an approximately 73,000-sf facility that will anchor an evolving STEM corridor on the north part of campus. Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the split-level structure will act as a central hub for departments within the College of Technology, Architecture, and Applied Engineering.

Denison University broke ground in February of 2025 on the Center for Data Reasoning & Visualization in Granville, Ohio. Designed by The Collaborative, the $35 million project will rejuvenate the 21,250-sf Doane Hall and create a 17,700-sf addition. This dynamic new home for the departments of computer science and data analytics will position Denison to be the first liberal arts college with a state-of-the-art campus hub devoted to integrating data across the curriculum. 

Chico State University opened the $98 million building for the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences in February of 2025 in California. Designed by AC Martin, the 94,000-sf structure provides 22 classrooms, five teaching labs, conference and breakout rooms, faculty offices, and a 130-seat tiered lecture hall. The open-plan facility accommodates nine academic departments, strategically collocating resources to maximize space use.

The Medical University of South Carolina is constructing a $175 million facility for the College of Medicine in Charleston. Designed by SLAM in collaboration with Liollio Architecture, the 186,000-sf building will accelerate progress and innovation in medicine, education, and research. The structure will offer active learning environments including a terraced classroom and a theater, as well as offices for the dean and other faculty and staff. Study spaces will be complemented by meeting, event, and wellness venues.

Stanford University opened its new 167,000-gsf Computing and Data Science building in January of 2025 in Palo Alto, Calif. Designed by LMN Architects to drive interdisciplinary research and innovation, the facility houses the Stanford Data Science and Impact Labs initiatives, as well as undergraduate programs in computer science and symbolic systems.

Providence College opened the 125,000-sf Ben Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences in January of 2025 in Providence, R.I. Designed by SLAM, the five-story facility provides active learning environments and laboratories for teaching, research, and faculty innovation. On the third level, a 7,000-sf clinical simulation suite replicates an acute care hospital floor. Sophisticated augmented and virtual reality technologies, such as Anatomage Tables, offer unique opportunities for immersive education and discovery. 

San Francisco State University celebrated the dedication of the Science and Engineering Innovation Center (SEIC) in January of 2025. Delivered by the design-build team of SmithGroup and DPR Construction, the $169 million facility provides advanced laboratories and leading-edge classrooms for the school's STEM education programs. As the new home for the College of Science & Engineering (CoSE), the 125,000-sf building houses the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, the School of Engineering, and the dean’s office.