Collaboration

Carnegie Mellon University broke ground in early 2024 on the $252 million Richard King Mellon Hall of Sciences in Pittsburgh. Designed by ZGF Architects and R3A Architecture, the 338,900-sf complex will advance a new era of data-driven research, cross-disciplinary education, and creative expression. The transformative development will collocate the College of Science and the School of Computer Science with the Institute for Contemporary Art Pittsburgh in a prominent city intersection to foster connections with the local community.

The University of Maryland dedicated the $132 million Chemistry Building in College Park in April of 2024. The 105,000-sf facility features 34 modular laboratories for research programs in molecular nanoscience, quantum chemistry, advanced materials, energy storage, and drug discovery and delivery. Featuring robust climate controls and vibration mitigation technologies, the six-story structure houses two core facilities, 12 meeting and huddle rooms, open office environments, and 13,000 sf of collaboration space.

Data from recent studies analyzing space utilization at colleges and universities across the country indicates a post-pandemic shift toward supporting hybrid education models that blend remote learning with in-person instruction. The studies were designed to analyze the impact of technology-intensive hybrid and experiential learning modalities on higher education while identifying key considerations, best practices, and metrics that can help space planners create more efficient, flexible environments that meet the needs of today’s students, faculty, and staff. Notably, in addition to an increased acceptance of remote learning, students and faculty also desire a return to in-person learning. This dichotomy is driving institutions to adapt hybrid education models that combine online education with active-learning classrooms that require sophisticated IT infrastructure and casual social environments that facilitate informal learning and collaboration.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology dedicated the new home of the Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing in Cambridge in April of 2024. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill designed Building 45 as a dynamic campus crossroads where diverse groups can connect and engage in shared discovery. The eight-story, 178,000-sf facility offers sophisticated research environments for the study of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Baylor College of Medicine is constructing the $260 million Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower in Houston. The 503,000-sf facility will strategically collocate the School of Medicine and the School of Health Professions next to the Texas Medical Center’s Helix Park. The technology-rich building will feature studio classrooms, lecture halls, teaching labs, and an expansive atrium that can function as a 500-seat auditorium.

Case Western Reserve University will break ground in May of 2024 on the $300 million Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building in Cleveland. Designed by HGA and Van Auken Akins Architects, the 189,000-sf facility will house the School of Engineering and provide additional capacity for the College of Arts and Sciences. Flexible research labs will be complemented by dedicated technical suites for the discovery of new medical treatments, energy solutions, and sustainable manufacturing modalities.

Northwestern University began construction in April of 2024 on an interior renovation of the Donald P. Jacobs Center in Evanston, Ill. Designed by William Rawn Associates and Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects, the transformed facility will act as a beacon of innovation in the social sciences where tomorrow’s leaders will explore new solutions to pressing global challenges. The existing 340,000-sf structure most recently housed the Kellogg School of Management and was built in phases between 1972 and 2001.

Florida Polytechnic University broke ground in April of 2024 on the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building in Lakeland. Designed by DLR Group, the $15 million facility is envisioned as a vibrant social hub where innovation converges with education. The 40,000-sf facility will offer four multidisciplinary labs where students can engage in hands-on learning, making, and research. Featuring raw materials and exposed structural elements, the two-story development will include an atrium, a conference room, collaboration spaces, and an office suite.

Novo Nordisk has executed a long-term, full-building lease for a 165,940-rsf property at the Alexandria Center for Life Science in Waltham, Mass. Located at 60 Sylvan Road, the research facility is being redeveloped to provide next-generation environments for biomedical discovery. Neighborhoods of labs, offices, and collaboration spaces will foster interaction between investigators to accelerate the discovery and commercialization of new therapies. Occupancy is expected in 2025.

The University of Miami Health System is constructing the $250 million Kenneth C. Griffin Cancer Research Building in Miami. Designed by HOK, the 244,000-sf structure will provide the Miller School of Medicine with flexible laboratories where multidisciplinary teams will discover new modalities for cancer treatment and prevention. The collaborative facility will leverage advanced instrumentation and the latest machine learning technologies to accelerate the translation of scientific breakthroughs into life-saving therapies.

Dubbed the "tree house," the Stanford Center for Academic Medicine blends into and incorporates its natural surroundings in a design that leaves the occupants feeling better after a full day of work than they felt when they arrived. Amenity spaces, a concierge desk staffed 24/7, small but private offices, and universal access to sunlight all contribute to the popularity of the Center.

Virginia Commonwealth University broke ground in April of 2024 on the $253 million CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation in Richmond. Designed by William Rawn Associates and Glavé & Holmes Architecture, the 213,000-sf facility will feature flexible classrooms, interdisciplinary performance venues, maker spaces, and an expansive atrium with an interactive staircase.

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory will break ground in summer of 2024 on a 68,000-sf research facility at the Forrestal campus in Plainsboro. Designed by SmithGroup, the Princeton Plasma Innovation Center will offer laboratories of various sizes where PPPL investigators will engage in shared discovery with academic and industry partners. Open meeting venues with whiteboards will encourage the spontaneous exchange of ideas, and collaboration spaces equipped with advanced technologies will support interaction with remote participants.

The University of Kentucky broke ground in March of 2024 on the $60 million Martin-Gatton Agricultural Sciences Building in Lexington. Designed by BHDP Architecture, the 66,000-sf facility will offer technology-enabled learning environments for the education of tomorrow’s agricultural leaders. The ground floor will feature 15 large, flexible classrooms that can easily adapt to different pedagogical modes, complemented by an adjacent café where students can gather and interact.

Pfizer has signed a 15-year lease for 230,000 sf of Class A research space in San Diego to accommodate its growing oncology division. The global pharmaceutical manufacturer will occupy two of the three buildings that are currently under construction at Breakthrough Properties' Torrey View campus. Leading-edge wet labs will advance the creation of novel therapies, accompanied by flexible offices and collaboration spaces.