Higher Education

The University of Kansas School of Engineering will break ground in 2010 on the $18.8 million Measurement, Materials and Sustainable Environment Center in Lawrence. Supported by $12.3 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the 36,690-sf facility will house laboratory and support space for research in biofuels, environmental science, and energy technologies. Completion is slated for spring of 2012. The facility will feature a green roof, solar shades, and reflected sunlight for illumination.

Nova Southeastern University will break ground in spring of 2010 on the 86,000-sf Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Science Research Facility. Supported by $15 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the $30 million center will be operated by NSU's National Coral Reef Institute and will support research on coral genetics, deep sea reefs, and reef mapping. The facility will be located at NSU’s Oceanographic Center in Dania Beach, Fla. The facility will house offices, laboratories, training facilities, and fieldwork staging space.

Purdue University will begin construction in February of 2010 on the $23.5 million Center for High Performance Buildings in West Lafayette, Ind. Supported by $11.75 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awarded by NIST, the new 68,000-sf facility represents an upgrade and expansion of the university’s Herrick Laboratories. Completion is expected in December of 2012.

Athens State University will complete its renovation of Waters Hall in Athens, Ala., in early 2010. The project will expand the existing 25,000-sf facility to approximately 40,000 sf. The completed science building will provide 12 laboratories, eight instructional spaces, and 16 faculty offices.

Imperial Valley College opened its 69,187-sf science building in January of 2010. Located in Imperial, Calif., the 2700 Building houses 12 science labs, nine technology-rich classrooms, and a planetarium. The LEED-certified facility features energy-efficient building systems and low-flow water fixtures.

The University of Colorado opened the $63.5 million Visual Arts Complex in Boulder in January of 2010. The 180,000-sf facility features technology-rich classrooms, studios, wood and metal shops, and a lecture hall. The LEED-certified complex will house the department of art and art history as well an art museum.

The Commonwealth Medical College is building the 185,000-sf Medical Sciences Building in Scranton, Pa. Ground was broken on the project in August of 2008 with completion expected in 2011. Designed by HOK in partnership with Highland Associates, the facility will support medical education for over 500 students and will accommodate 175 full-time faculty members. The Medical Sciences Building is comprised of a west research wing and an east instructional wing linked by a courtyard.

Western University of Health Sciences opened the 180,000-sf Health Education Center in Pomona, Calif., in January of 2010. The four-story facility houses six lecture halls, two auditoriums, classrooms, simulation training suites, and study rooms. The building is also the home of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific and the colleges of dentistry, optometry, and podiatric medicine.

Western New England College is building a $40 million academic building in Springfield, Ma. The 126,000-sf facility will provide classrooms, labs, and offices to support programs in pharmacy, biology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. Ground was broken on the four-story building in September of 2009 with completion slated for fall of 2011.

The University of Oklahoma is constructing the $75 million Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center in Norman. Slated for completion in summer of 2010, the 160,000-sf building is located on the south campus and will provide research labs, graduate study facilities, and support for the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Upstate Medical University will begin construction in mid-2010 on a $72 million expansion of the Institute for Human Performance in Syracuse, N.Y. Doubling existing research space, the 100,000-sf addition will house biomedical research labs, offices, and a vivarium. The facility will support interdisciplinary research on nervous system disorders such as addiction, Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia. Completion is expected in 2013.

The University of Wisconsin will begin construction in mid-2010 on the $75.7 million Wisconsin Energy Institute in Madison. Designed by HOK and Potter Lawson, the 200,000-sf facility will support renewable energy research. M.A. Mortenson Co. is the general contractor for the project.

The University of Manitoba broke ground in December of 2009 on the $4 million Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre in Ritchot. Located at the university's Glenlea Research Station near the Fort Garry campus, the 8,280-sf education and demonstration center is slated for completion in October of 2010.

Ruhr University will begin construction in 2010 on the 65,000-sf European Protein Research Institute in Bochum, Germany. Supported by $53 million in funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the facility will support research on protein biomarkers for cancer, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases. Completion is expected in 2013. The building will house approximately 150 researchers and staff.

Michigan State University will begin construction in May of 2010 on the $43.2 million Plant Science Expansion in Lansing. The 90,000-sf, four-story structure will house open laboratories, plant growth chambers, and computational research space. Completion is expected in late 2011.