Higher Education

Winthrop University Hospital celebrated the topping out of the $65 million Winthrop Research Institute in September of 2013 in Mineola, N.Y. The five-story, 95,000-sf building was designed by Perkins Eastman and is slated for completion in 2015. The translational research and academic facility will provide classrooms, a clinical trials center, a simulation training suite, and core laboratories for the study of diabetes, obesity, cardiopulmonary disease, and neurology.

The University of Edinburgh opened the first phase of the National Avian Research Facility in early 2013. The $7.9 million facility is part of a collaborative two-building research campus currently under construction for the Roslin Institute of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Pirbright Institute. Ground was broken on the project in early 2013. Phase two of the $22 million project is expected to open in late 2014.

The University of Nebraska opened the 23,000-sf Biomechanics Research Building in Omaha in September of 2013. The laboratory will support applied translational research on the mechanics of movement and includes a virtual reality suite. The $6 million building houses advanced robotic and imaging technologies and will accommodate collaboration with NASA to develop solutions for the gravitational challenges faced by returning astronauts.

The University of Utah broke ground on the $36.4 million Ray and Tye Noorda Oral Health Education Building in August of 2013 in Salt Lake City. Located in Research Park, the 80,000-sf facility for the School of Dentistry will provide labs, classrooms, a dental clinic, faculty offices, and administrative space. The project team includes architect MHTN and general contractor Okland Construction, both of Salt Lake City. Completion is expected in December of 2014.

The University of Dayton completed construction of the $52 million Electrical Power Integrated Systems Research and Development Center (EPISCENTER) in summer of 2013. The 139,000-sf facility was created in partnership with GE Aviation. LEED sustainable design certification will be sought for the project, which features photovoltaic energy technologies and a sophisticated water management system. The cost of construction was $25 million with $27 million providing funding for research instrumentation. Ground was broken on the project in April of 2011.

Montana State University is building the $18 million College of Business in Bozeman. The 45,000-sf facility will be aligned for maximal sunlight harvesting in the winter months with the south side of the building comprised almost entirely of windows. The building will utilize geothermal heat exchangers, an advanced air circulation system, and multiple renewable energy technologies.

The University of Mississippi is planning to begin construction in fall of 2013 on a $35.5 million building in Jacksonville for the School of Medicine. The four-story, 138,000-sf facility will provide classrooms, laboratories, and offices. One floor of the building will house a simulation training center with mannequins and computers. Occupancy is expected in August of 2016.

Washington State University’s three-story, 62,000-sf Paul G. Allen Center for Global Animal Health is the first of a two-phase project dedicated to infectious disease research and animal diagnostics. It houses the Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, which provides innovative solutions to global infectious disease challenges through research, education, global outreach, and application of disease control at the human-animal interface. The second phase will be completion of the Washington Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory.

The University of Georgia is building the $97.7 million Veterinary Medical Learning Center (VLMC) in Athens, Ga. Providing five buildings and approximately 300,000 sf for the College of Veterinary Medicine, the campus will include an academic building, a teaching hospital, a covered arena, a large animal isolation barn, and a theriogenology and farm field services building. Ground was broken on the project in November of 2012 and construction began in March of 2013. Completion is expected in 2015.

The University of Tennessee opened the $23 million John D. Tickle Engineering Building in Knoxville in August of 2013. The five-story, 110,000-sf facility houses the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Designed by Grieve Associates Architects, the building features a high bay research area, a two-story water tank and cement pit for erosion testing, and two 10-ton cranes for the movement of structures and workways.

City University of New York has attained LEED Platinum sustainable design certification for Lehman College Science Hall. The $70 million facility was designed by architectural firm Perkins+Will and built by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). Construction was led by Gilbane Building Company and the project team included general contractor Calcedo Construction, B&G Electric, Aspro Plumbing, and BP Mechanical.

Glendale Community College will break ground in fall of 2013 on a 90,000-sf academic building in Glendale, Calif. A $34.6 million contract has been awarded to Mallcraft to build the three-story facility, which will provide classrooms and computer labs, as well as housing space for programs in culinary arts, anthropology, and writing. The total project cost is estimated at $40 million. LEED Silver sustainable design certification will be sought for the facility, which is slated for occupancy in late 2015.

The University of Hong Kong Faculty of Medicine is building the $426 million Gleneagles Hospital in Wong Chuk Hang. The 503,000-sf facility will provide comprehensive clinical care including oncology, cardiology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, and pediatrics. The 500-bed hospital will also house operating rooms, outpatient care clinics, imaging suites, and a cardiovascular laboratory. Completion is expected in late 2016 with occupancy in 2017.

Marian University opened the $55 million Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences in August of 2013 in Indianapolis. Housing the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the School of Nursing, the facility supports the implementation of team-based curriculum, experiential learning, and interprofessional education.

The University of North Carolina Hospital is using Building Information Modeling (BIM) to manage construction of its $156 million campus in Hillsborough. Designed by ZGF Architects, the project includes a 240,000-sf patient tower, a 14,000-sf central plant, and a three-story medical office building. Partnering with construction manager Skanska USA, UNC Hospital used BIM to plan the location of underground utilities, including integrating multiple building systems with existing rock formations.