Higher Education

The University of Edinburgh is planning to construct the Centre for Tissue Regeneration and Repair in Scotland in the United Kingdom. Designed by Stantec, the four-story interdisciplinary building will provide sophisticated research facilities for the study of stem cells, inflammatory mediators, and niche biology. Accommodating up to 500 researchers, the center will feature a collaborative double-height laboratory zone and space for the development of advanced imaging technologies.

The University of Chicago is renovating and expanding the Laboratory for Astrophysics and Space Research. Designed by Perkins Eastman, the project includes construction of a two-story, 25,000-gsf addition and renovation of the existing 38,500-gsf structure. The completed 63,500-gsf facility will provide advanced research laboratories, offices, and collaboration spaces, as well as housing the Department of Physics, the Enrico Fermi Institute, and the Kadanoff Center for Theoretical Physics.

Purdue University opened the $79 million Wilmeth Active Learning Center in August of 2017 in West Lafayette, Ind. Designed by BSA LifeStructures, the 164,000-gsf facility houses 27 collaborative active learning classrooms, the Library of Engineering and Science, the Data Visualization Experience Lab, a large reading room, and dining facilities. F.A. Wilhelm Construction was the general contractor for the project.

Moravian College completed construction in August of 2017 on the $23 million Miksiewicz Center for Health Sciences in Bethlehem, Pa. Designed by Earl Swensson Associates (ESa), the 55,000-sf academic facility offers classrooms, faculty offices, labs, simulation suites, student lounges, and a virtual cadaver lab. The three-story building will accommodate programs in nursing, public health, informatics, and undergraduate health sciences. J.G.

The University of California, Riverside completed a $2 million BSL-3 renovation project in August of 2017. An existing laboratory facility was transformed by BNBuilders into a 1,383-sf life science research suite with an anteroom, gowning room, shower area, procedure rooms, autoclave, and biosafety cabinets. The project will support faculty research programs for the School of Medicine and is supplied by dedicated mechanical systems.

Valparaiso University opened the $30 million Center for the Sciences in August of 2017 in Valparaiso, Ind. Supporting STEM programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the 55,000-sf facility features a collaborative interdisciplinary laboratory as well as labs for chemistry, biochemistry, and biology. The sustainably designed building, which earned a $150,000 rebate through NIPSCO’s Business Energy Efficiency Programs, features LED lighting and a sophisticated HVAC system that employs variable volume air handlers and energy recovery technologies.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland, College Park are partnering to create the $210 million Cole Field House, a leading-edge sports medicine and practice facility in College Park. The first phase of construction, comprising a full-size indoor football field, was completed in August of 2017, enabling the second phase to commence.

The University of Wyoming opened the $68 million High Bay Research Facility in Laramie in August of 2017. Supporting the development of advanced oil and gas reservoir technologies, the 90,000-sf project provides flexible, large-scale research spaces, offices, conference rooms, and conventional laboratories for the School of Energy Resources, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the Department of Geology and Geophysics.

Pitt Community College dedicated the $17 million Walter & Marie Williams Science Center Building in August of 2017 in Winterville, N.C. Supporting STEM programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the 79,000-sf facility provides 11 labs, 10 classrooms, and a 120-seat lecture auditorium. The building also includes a biotechnology center housing a pharmaceutical training suite, a cell culture lab, a cleanroom, teaching labs, and research space. The duration of construction was two years. 

The University of Central Lancashire began construction in July of 2017 on the £30 million Engineering Innovation Centre in Preston in the United Kingdom. Featuring sophisticated laboratories and advanced instrumentation suites, the six-story facility will provide approximately 75,000 sf of integrated teaching and research space. The lead architect for the project is SimpsonHaugh in collaboration with Reiach and Hall Architects and engineering consultant BDP.

Grand Valley State University is planning to begin construction in June of 2018 on a $70 million health science facility in Grand Rapids, Mich. Designed by Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, the five-story, 160,000-sf project will support academic programs for the College of Health Professions and Kirkhof College of Nursing. The general contractor for the facility is Pioneer Construction. Occupancy is expected in May of 2021.

Whether it’s called a superlab, x-lab, or megalab, the growing trend to build combined, larger lab spaces leverages economies of scale, technology, and smart use of perimeter and adjacent space to increase flexibility and improve active student learning. While there is no standard definition of a superlab, generally speaking it is a teaching lab that can accommodate more than one section or one cohort of students.

The University of New Mexico opened the $35 million Lobo Rainforest building in August of 2017 in Albuquerque. Designed by Dekker/Perich/Sabatini as a living laboratory for entrepreneurial education, the six-story, 160,000-sf facility offers accommodation for 300 students, classrooms, collaboration spaces, meeting rooms, videoconferencing suites, and business incubators. Representing the first phase of the Innovate ABQ research district, the building will accommodate programs for the UNM Innovation Academy, as well as

Georgia Highlands College began construction in July of 2017 on a 52,000-sf academic building in Cartersville, Ga.  Designed by Stanley Beaman & Sears, the facility will accommodate programs in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). The project, which is supported by $22.5 million in state funding, will provide laboratories, classrooms, a lecture hall, and study rooms. General contractor Juneau broke ground on the facility in April of 2017 and completion is expected by fall of 2018.

Florida Atlantic University will begin construction in fall of 2017 on the $40 million Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence in Boca Raton. Designed by HKS, the 96,000-sf project will include a sports medicine center, an indoor training facility, strength and conditioning rooms, study spaces, offices, and academic space for the MBA Sport Management program. Ground was officially broken on the complex in January of 2017 and occupancy is expected in summer of 2018.