Laboratory: Teaching

The University of British Columbia opened the CAD 207.9 million Gateway Health building in Vancouver in February of 2026. Designed by Perkins&Will and Schmidt Hammer Lassen, the 270,550-sf facility showcases a six-story atrium connecting two five-story wings. This interdisciplinary nexus provides advanced teaching labs, flexible classrooms, and four large lecture halls, with interconnecting stairs reaching from the basement to the highest level to encourage physical activity.

Clemson University opened the Advanced Materials Innovation Complex in February of 2026 in Clemson, S.C. The $130 million building is the university's most technologically advanced facility to date and will enable the workforce of the future to gain hands-on experience in next-generation manufacturing processes.

Wake Technical Community College is constructing the Perry Family Simulation Hospital in Raleigh, N.C. The three-story, 106,000-sf building will be one of the largest and most comprehensive simulation hospitals in the United States when it opens in fall of 2027. BSA designed the multidisciplinary facility to enable students to participate in hands-on learning in environments that mirror real-world clinical settings.

The University of Oklahoma (OU) is constructing the Life Sciences Laboratories Building in Norman to expand its research capacity while addressing a crucial need for teaching labs tailored to the evolving demands of biology and chemistry education. Designed by CannonDesign and Miles Architecture, the $100 million project will provide 25 modern lab classrooms and a 250-seat lecture hall on the ground floor, with approximately 80,000 sf of the 105,000-sf structure dedicated to undergraduate learning.

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) is constructing the Science and Health Sciences Building to expand undergraduate research capacity and create an anchor for a new innovation cluster. Designed by HOK and Potter Lawson, the $340.3 million structure will provide dynamic facilities for STEM courses and programs in nursing, psychology, pre-professional health sciences, public health, and environmental studies.

The University of Texas System is creating UTA West, a new regional campus for education and training in Fort Worth. Representing an estimated investment of $600 million, the multiphase project is slated to include five buildings totaling 930,000 gsf on the north parcel, as well as a 1,589-space parking garage. Up to four more structures could rise on the south parcel at a later stage.

The University of Nevada, Reno is planning to break ground in fall of 2026 on a $137 million life sciences building. Located in the Mathewson University Gateway District, the 89,000-sf facility will provide leading-edge environments for both the College of Science and the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources. The technology-rich center will feature 18 research labs for programs in chemical ecology, neuroscience, and molecular and cellular biology, along with associated support areas and offices.

Auburn University broke ground in February of 2026 on the Barbara Drummond Thorne Academic and Research Facility in Auburn, Ala. This vibrant new home for the College of Human Sciences will house nationally ranked and recognized programs in global studies, interior design, philanthropy and nonprofit studies, nutrition and dietetics, human development and family studies, and apparel merchandising, design, and production management.

Vincennes University celebrated the opening of the $33.9 million Center for Health Sciences and Learning Innovation in January of 2026 in Vincennes, Ind. As the new home for the College of Health Sciences and Human Performance, the 72,000-sf structure provides ultramodern classrooms and teaching labs for programs in nursing and allied health professions. Shared instructional venues for active learning are complemented by collaborative lounges, breakout spaces, and study areas.

Harris-Stowe State University broke ground in January of 2026 on a $62.3 million STEM building in St. Louis. This future-ready hub for learning and discovery will advance the University’s mission to prepare students for high-demand careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Designed by LJC, the 82,443-sf facility will include sophisticated teaching and research labs, maker spaces, and multifunctional classrooms that can be configured to mirror real-world work environments.

The University of New Mexico is planning to create a new home for the School of Medicine in Albuquerque. The 330,000-sf building will act as a gateway to UNM's North Campus, which accommodates the existing Health Sciences Center and UNM Hospital. Shaped by the vision of ZGF Architects and McClain + Yu Architecture & Design, the transformational development is expected to double enrollment capacity over the next decade to address the demand for more providers across the region.

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls opened the Science and Technology Innovation Center (SciTech) in January of 2026. Designed by BWBR Architects, the $117 million building features immersive environments for hands-on discovery. The three-story, 134,560-gsf structure offers a maker space, active learning studios, 12 instructional labs, and three wet research labs. This nexus of experiential education also provides 32 undergraduate research spaces, an optics lab, computational labs, offices, and conference rooms.

William & Mary opened the Integrated Science Center 4 (ISC4) in January of 2026 in Williamsburg, Va. Designed by Goody Clancy with Baskervill as interior design architect, the $103 million facility provides a vibrant home for the School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics, the university's first new school in 50 years. The visionary project included 124,000 gsf of new construction, augmented by 10,000 gsf of renovated space to establish a link to the existing ISC complex.

The University of Victoria is expanding the footprint of the Department of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) with two highly sustainable facilities. The CAD 89.6 million project includes the construction of a six-story addition to the ECS building to provide biomedical, geotechnical, materials, building science, and environmental and hydraulics labs. Featuring active learning venues and undergraduate design studios, the development will also house graduate student workstations, faculty collaboration spaces, computer labs, and departmental offices.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney opened the $95 million Health Science Education Center II in January of 2026. Created in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the 110,000-sf facility addresses a pressing need for more healthcare providers in underserved areas. The architectural vision of RDG Planning & Design created a dynamic environment for programs in medicine, nursing, and allied health.