Higher Education

The University of Kentucky broke ground in November of 2010 on a 36,000-sf expansion of the Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) in Lexington. The $19.8 million facility is located in the Spindletop Research Park and is supported by $11.8 million in federal stimulus funding. The expansion will support research into biofuels, biomass, wind, and solar energy. The adjacent Kentucky Argonne Battery Manufacturing Research and Development Center will also conduct research at the center. LEED sustainable design certification will be sought for the expansion.

Texas A&M University selected BOKA Powell in November of 2010 as the architect of record for a $26 million health science facility in Bryan. Ground was broken for the 130,000-sf project in mid-2010 with completion expected by August of 2011. The facility is being developed by Skanska HealthRealty and will combine clinical and medical education space within a simulated hospital.

The University of Wisconsin is building a 200,000-sf academic facility in Oshkosh. Construction began on the $62 million project in September of 2009 with completion expected by summer of 2011. Designed by Richard Dannhausen, the four-story building will house 31 classrooms, two 260-seat auditoriums, research laboratories, instructional computer labs, faculty offices, and conference rooms. LEED Gold sustainable design certification will be sought for the project.

Montana State University dedicated the $15.7 million Animal Bioscience building in Bozeman in November of 2010. The three-story, 40,000-sf facility provides classrooms and laboratories for instruction and research in anatomy, physiology, genetics, animal nutrition, rangeland ecology, and natural resources. A technology transfer room with interactive video capability allows information to be shared throughout the state. Ground was broken on the project in June of 2008. The facility was built by Swank Enterprises of Valier, Mont.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is planning to construct a $42.8 million meat science research facility. Supporting instruction and research for the Department of Animal Sciences, the project will foster collaboration with industry partners including meat companies and food safety agencies. The facility will feature a BSL-2 isolatable pilot plant for the study of meat pathogens and the development of intervention strategies. Occupancy is expected in 2017.

Clemson University broke ground on a $98 million wind turbine research facility in November of 2010. Located at the Clemson University Restoration Institute in North Charleston, S.C., the project involves renovation of a former Navy warehouse facility to support accelerated testing of advanced drive-train systems for wind turbines. The project is supported by a $45 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and $53 million in matching funds. Occupancy is expected by 2012.

Sam Houston State University broke ground in November of 2010 on the $40.5 million University Center in The Woodlands, Texas. The four-story, 144,164-sf facility will house labs, classrooms, administration, and student services. A five-story parking garage will also be constructed. Completion is expected by summer of 2012.

Wheaton College’s Science Center was awarded LEED Gold sustainable design certification in November of 2010. Located in Wheaton, Ill., the five-story, 134,730-sf facility houses classrooms, research labs, and teaching labs for biology, chemistry, geology, and environmental studies. The $50 million center also provides a research greenhouse, an observatory, and a science museum. The facility was designed by FGM Architects.

The University of Texas at Austin broke ground on the $120 million Bill & Melinda Gates Computer Science Complex and Dell Computer Science Hall in November of 2010. Designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli, the 140,000-sf facility will include 10 research clusters of integrated laboratory and office space to foster interaction and collaboration. The complex will also house a large atrium, a conference room, computer labs, and study lounges. Completion is expected in December of 2012.

Macquarie University has selected Watpac Construction to build the $75 million Australian Hearing Hub in Sydney. Supporting research on audiology, speech, and language disorders, the six-story 20,000-nsm facility will include an anechoic chamber, a 150-seat lecture hall, a magnetoencephalograph (MEG) suite, conference rooms, classrooms, a library, and a café.

The University of Guelph is building the $33.6 million Alexander Hall in Guelph, Ontario. The project involves renovation and retrofitting of the existing 130,000-sf Axelrod Building. The sustainably designed facility will support research and instruction in environmental science. Construction began in 2009 with completion expected in 2011.

The University of Arizona College of Medicine initiated construction on the $129 million Health Sciences Education Building in Phoenix in late October of 2010. Located on the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, the 264,000-sf interdisciplinary facility will provide classrooms, laboratories, pre-clinical training suites, faculty offices, and study areas. The six-story building will also house programs for the UA College of Pharmacy, Northern Arizona University’s College of Health and Human Services, and Arizona State University’s College of Nursing.

Los Angeles Trade Technical College has selected the design-build team of Bernards/HMC Architects to construct the $90 million Construction Technology Building. The three-story, 139,000-sf training center will support instruction in building trades, architecture, and contractor licensing. LEED Gold sustainable design certification will be sought for the facility, which will function as a teaching tool for advanced building systems. The project includes construction of a six-story, 1,000-space, net zero parking structure.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is building the $156 million New Laboratory Science Building. Ground was broken on the 318,000-gsf research facility in February of 2010 and the north wing of the building is expected to open in fall of 2012. The facility will be connected to the existing Integrated Sciences Building and will include shell space to accommodate future research needs. Designed by Wilson Architects of Boston, the New Laboratory Science Building will provide modern labs arranged in interdisciplinary research clusters.

Montgomery College is constructing the $74 million Rockville Science Center in Maryland. Slated for occupancy in fall of 2011, the four-story facility will provide a total of 29 laboratories for biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. The 140,000-sf center features a green roof, a photovoltaic array, and an astronomical observatory. Construction began on the project in 2009.