Higher Education

The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith broke ground on the 40,000-sf Learning and Research Center in June of 2011. Constructed as an addition to Boreham Library, the $14.5 million facility will house the Business and Entrepreneurship Research Center, which features a teleconferencing suite, interactive presentation spaces, and conference rooms; a 24-hour computer lab and study area; and an additional 52,000 volumes. The project team includes MAHG Architecture of Fort Smith and CDI Contractors of Little Rock.

The University of New South Wales is initiating a 107,640-sf expansion of the Wallace Wurth Building in Kensington. The $130 million project includes construction of a new wing and an additional story to provide research, teaching, and administrative space for the School of Medical Sciences. The existing building will also be renovated. The completed 269,100-sf facility will open in March of 2014. The general contractor for the project is Lend Lease.

The University of Windsor is building the $112 million Centre for Engineering in Windsor, Ontario. The first phase of construction is nearing completion with the second phase slated for occupancy in fall of 2012. The 300,000-sf Centre for Engineering will house lecture halls, offices, and research laboratories. J.P. Thompson is the project manager and the construction manager is PCR Contractors.

Southwestern University is planning to construct a new science center in Georgetown, Texas. The $24 million facility will feature advanced classrooms and research labs. The project includes renovation of the existing Fondren-Jones Science Building and construction of a 37,000-sf addition. The completed 100,000-sf facility will open in 2015. 

Fairleigh Dickinson University broke ground on the $20 million Monninger Center for Learning and Research in June of 2011. Located on the Florham campus in Madison, N.J., the new library center will include classrooms and a 100-seat lecture hall. The project includes construction of a two-story, 20,000-sf addition and renovation of the existing library. The Center for Learning and Research was designed by architect Michael Farewell as a sustainable facility with abundant daylighting and efficient building systems.

Clemson University is building a wind turbine drivetrain testing facility in North Charleston, S.C. The project team includes AEC Engineering and Choate Construction. The $98 million project involves conversion of an existing warehouse to provide research, development, and testing space for offshore wind turbines. LEED Silver sustainable design certification will be sought for the facility. Completion is expected in late 2012. 

Appalachian State University will open the $35 million College of Education Building in August of 2011. The five-story, 124,547-sf facility will provide 121 faculty offices, 17 classrooms, 12 conference/seminar rooms, administrative suites, and laboratories for design, media production, and computer science. The building will also house student computer labs, a counseling training clinic, and a reading clinic with tutoring and diagnostic rooms. LEED sustainable design certification will be sought for the project, which features solar water heating and a green roof.

New York University is planning to build a 170,000-sf facility for the College of Nursing in New York City. Designed by EYP Architecture & Engineering and KPF, the $140 million project is expected to reach completion in fall of 2013. 

The University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory celebrated the completion of a $28.5 million expansion and renovation project in May of 2011. The 76,000-sf building includes research and diagnosis labs, a 3,000-sf necropsy suite, and administrative offices. The biocontainment facility features alkaline digestion for tissue disposal. Ground was broken on the project in September of 2008.

Union College dedicated the $22 million Peter Irvine Wold Center in May of 2011 in Schenectady, N.Y. The three-story, 35,000-sf interdisciplinary facility includes electronic classrooms, wet labs, environmental science labs, faculty offices, and a 24-hour computer lab. The Wold Center also houses the Aerogel Fabrication, Characterization and Applications Lab; the Kelly Advanced Computing Laboratory; the vibration-isolated Laboratory for Electrical Engineering and Music Research; the Energy and Environmental Engineering Suite; and a rooftop energy lab.

Coventry University is constructing a $100 million facility to house the Faculty of Engineering and Computing. The project team includes architect Arup Associates and general contractor Balfour Beatty. Supporting Activity Led Learning (ALL), the building will provide collaborative learning spaces including dynamic lecture halls, technology-rich classrooms, a flexible 21,500-sf laboratory, workshops, and offices. The sustainably designed facility will utilize solar thermal energy, rainwater harvesting, and biomass boilers.

Sydney University of Technology will begin construction in 2012 on the 290,000-sf Broadway Building. Designed by Denton Corker Marshall, the 12-story facility will house research and teaching labs, lecture halls, seminar rooms, and offices for the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology. Completion is expected in late 2013. The project is supported by $50 million in federal funding. Lend Lease will provide preconstruction services. The highest Green Star rating for sustainable design will be sought for the facility.

Georgia State University will begin construction in 2012 on the $62.7 million Humanities-Law Building in Atlanta. The 200,000-sf facility will include classrooms, moot courtrooms, a public law library, legal clinics, and office space. The project team was designed by SmithGroup of Washington, D.C., and Stevens & Wilkinson of Atlanta. McCarthy Building Companies is providing construction management. LEED sustainable design certification will be sought for the project.

Texas State University is planning to build the 20,000-sf Center for Research Commercialization in San Marcos.  The $7 million biotechnology business incubator will provide laboratory and office space. Completion is expected in fall of 2012. 

Georgian College will open the $65 million Health and Wellness building in August of 2011. Located in Barrie, Ontario, the three-story, 172,000-sf facility houses classrooms, offices, laboratories, and simulation suites for medical training. The sustainably designed building features five light wells to deliver abundant natural light to the interior. The classrooms and labs have glass walls for maximum transparency.