Laboratory: Teaching

The design and planning of medical and health sciences education facilities serve as both the precursor and the wave of the future, with facilities that are not only mixed-use, but truly hybridized and integrated. Formerly siloed programs for nursing, medical, surgical, and pharmaceutical training reap exponential benefits from shared technology, resources, and spaces that enable multiple institutions and stakeholders to offer more robust programs. The hybrid building model mirrors a coevolving approach to healthcare, where teamwork is central, and training with the latest technologies is key. By accommodating the functions of multiple disciplines, forward-thinking institutions can both leverage available space and focus on creating environments for the interpersonal collaboration that underpins the experience of 21st-century health practitioners, as well as that of their patients.

The University of Sydney celebrated the beginning of construction on the AU$780 million Sydney Biomedical Accelerator in May of 2025. Created in partnership with the Government of New South Wales and Sydney Local Health District, the 387,500-sf structure will forge a vital link between the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the university's Camperdown campus.

Virginia Commonwealth University is planning to construct a new School of Dentistry to advance dental education and improve access to care throughout the state and beyond. Designed by Kahler Slater in collaboration with Hanbury, the 312,000-sf facility will collocate sophisticated teaching labs with environments for clinical instruction and specialized patient treatment in a landmark setting.

California State University, Fullerton broke ground in June of 2025 on the College of Engineering and Computer Science Innovation Hub. Gensler designed the $85 million facility as collaborative workspace that will empower the next generation of innovators and industry professionals to solve real-world challenges. Rising next to the existing engineering building, the 42,000-sf structure will offer teaching and research labs, maker spaces, immersive learning environments, and areas for project-based exploration.

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences opened the Harold Alfond Center for Ocean Education and Innovation in June of 2025. Designed by Harriman, the $31 million project represents a 40 percent increase in the footprint of the nonprofit institution's campus in East Boothbay, Maine. The 25,000-sf expansion offers advanced laboratories for discovery and development where investigators will translate early-stage ideas into novel products and solutions.

Wexford Science & Technology opened a visionary innovation district called The Pearl in Charlotte in June of 2025. Created as a public-private partnership with Advocate Health, Atrium Health, and Ventas, the mixed-use development strategically collocates world-class facilities for medical instruction and training with research environments for leading health technology companies.  

Texas A&M University broke ground in June of 2025 on the Linda & Dennis Clark ’68 Small Animal Teaching Hospital in College Station. Designed by Page and Foil Wyatt Architects and Planners, the $181 million project will provide the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) with a translational hub for innovation that will contribute to the wellbeing of animals and humans alike.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham celebrated the opening of Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall in June of 2025. Designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the $77 million facility advances the School of Engineering’s mission to attract leading faculty and train the next generation of modern engineers. The 116,000-sf structure enables a progressive pedagogy that blends academic instruction with hands-on learning and industry experience.

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.

The University of Cambridge opened the Ray Dolby Centre in May of 2025 in the United Kingdom. This purpose-built headquarters for the Department of Physics, also known as the Cavendish Laboratory, will serve as a national research hub and houses the Collaborative R&D Environment (CORDE), a new facility for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

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.

Kansas State University is constructing the Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation in Manhattan to advance agricultural science and education. Designed by Clark & Enersen, the $210 million project includes the construction of a 140,000-gsf structure and the renovation of Carl Hall and Weber Hall, creating a vibrant integrated complex. Approximately 30 percent of the space in the new facility will be allocated for collaboration between public and private partners to accelerate the generation of novel solutions to pressing global challenges.

Purdue University is constructing the $160 million Nursing and Pharmacy Education Building in West Lafayette, Ind. Designed by Ayers Saint Gross and BSA LifeStructures, the 185,400-gsf facility will catalyze interprofessional synergies by collocating the School of Nursing and the Department of Pharmacy Practice in one dynamic center. This innovative hub for health science excellence will support a contemporary curriculum that equips future nurses and pharmacists with the essential competencies to deliver optimal patient care.

The University of Houston broke ground in April of 2025 on a $52 million facility for the Hobby School of Public Affairs. Designed by Lake|Flato to foster creativity, community, and wellness, the 42,000-sf structure will feature interactive open settings illuminated by natural light. The transformative project will drive collaboration across disciplines through shared exploration of the myriad fields affected by public policy, such as health care, energy, and urban planning.