The University of Nebraska at Kearney opened the $30 million Discovery Hall in September of 2020. Offering technology-rich labs and classrooms for experiential learning, the three-story, 90,000-sf facility accommodates STEM programs in mathematics, engineering, physics, astronomy, construction management, industrial distribution, interior design, aviation, computer science, and information technology.
The University of New Haven opened the $35 million Bergami Center for Science, Technology, and Innovation in August of 2020 in West Haven, Conn. Designed by Svigals+Partners, the three-story, 45,500-sf facility provides sophisticated science and engineering labs, technology-enabled collaborative classrooms, a maker space, an atrium, video production studios, and an e-sports training and competition hub. LEED Gold sustainable design certification is being sought for the structure, which is expected to use 40 percent less energy than a conventional facility.
The new Fourth and Montgomery building, scheduled to open in January 2021 in downtown Portland, Oregon, is a remarkable example of how pooling financial, intellectual, and physical resources can allow public institutions to accomplish much more by working together than would be possible if attempted separately. The seven-story, $111 million building will be owned and occupied by The City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Portland Community College’s Dental Sciences Programs, and Portland State University’s (PSU) College of Education and the PSU | Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) PSU School of Public Health. To simplify the process of working with multiple stakeholders, the project team used an integrated project delivery planning tool called “Choosing by Advantages” (CBA) that helped them manage complex decisions and keep the project on schedule and within budget.
Oklahoma State University is constructing the $50 million North Academic Building in Tulsa. Designed by Dewberry, the collaborative health sciences facility will provide classrooms, labs, conference rooms, study areas, and administrative offices. The structure will also house dedicated anatomy and neuro-anatomy labs, the Center for Rural Health, the Center for Health Systems Innovation, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which will include a sophisticated autopsy lab designed for optimal safety, workflow efficiency, and evidence preservation.
Nagasaki University is planning to build a BSL-4 laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 research. The biocontainment facility will be located in an eight-story, 43,000-sf building providing specialized environments for the detection, study, and mitigation of infectious diseases. A dedicated area will accommodate novel coronavirus research. The Japanese government is expected to award $9.5 million in funding for fiscal year 2021 towards the construction of the project, which will also support training programs and the development of human resources.
The University of Colorado opened the $61.4 million William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center in August of 2020 in Colorado Springs. Designed by HOK and RTA Architects, the 104,600-sf facility integrates undergraduate and graduate education with clinical practice and research in a sports medicine and performance environment.
The University of Texas at San Antonio opened the $95 million Science and Engineering Building in August of 2020. Designed by TreanorHL and Alamo Architects, the four-story, 160,349-sf facility provides teaching and research labs, active learning classrooms, and faculty offices to support programs in biology, chemistry, engineering, and neurology.
Middle Tennessee State University opened the $39.6 million Academic Classroom Building in August of 2020 in Murfreesboro. Designed by Bauer Askew Architecture, the 91,200-sf facility provides the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences with 14 classrooms, five computer teaching labs, research labs, specialized instructional suites, and faculty offices.
The COVID Consultants℠ and Better Efficiency Solutions & Technologies LLC (BEST) launched the COVIDefender™ Student Housing Portal in August 2020. Offering tools, guidance, and access to crucial information, the online service enables students and off-campus housing authorities to:
Amherst College in Massachusetts is looking to the future with a new science center that supports active learning and project-based teaching, with a sustainable, energy-efficient design highlighted by innovative labs, high-tech classrooms, and departmental and interdisciplinary collaboration. College leaders say the building—designed with enough flexibility to address new pedagogies and meet the changing needs of students and faculty—will support the science programs through the next century, decrease energy consumption by 76 percent, and create a transformative sense of campus community.
Drexel University is partnering with Wexford Science+Technology to create the Drexel Academic Tower in Philadelphia. Construction began in July of 2020 on the structure, which will provide Drexel with 450,000 sf of rented space in the University City district. The College of Nursing and Health Professions will be located in the building, with classes beginning in fall of 2022.
16 Tech Community Corporation opened the $50 million Innovation Building 1 in August of 2020 in Indianapolis. Developed by Browning, the 120,000-sf facility was constructed by Davis & Associates and is now fully leased. The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute is occupying 67,000 sf on the first three floors of the building. The five-story structure will accommodate the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, as well as providing 12,000 sf of research space for Indiana University's Center for Regenerative Medicine.
Bishop State Community College broke ground in late July of 2020 on two new instructional facilities in Mobile, Ala. The $17 million Advanced Manufacturing Center will provide technology-rich learning environments for programs in robotics, process technology, electronic engineering, and industrial maintenance. The college also began construction on a $4 million renovation project to create a state-of-the-art health sciences center.
Hackensack Meridian Health is constructing the $714 million Helena Theurer Pavilion at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Designed by RSC Architects and EYP Architecture & Engineering, the nine-story, 530,000-gsf facility will accommodate 150 medical/surgical beds in private rooms, 24 technology-rich operating rooms, and a 50-bed orthopedic center. Stantec is the project manager and owner's representative for the 438,000-asf project, which is being built by a joint venture of W.M.
The University of North Dakota is planning to break ground in fall of 2020 on the $70 million Nistler College of Business and Public Administration in Grand Forks. Designed by JLG Architects, the four-story, 111,000-sf facility will offer highly flexible learning environments capable of accommodating a wide range of instructional modalities. Technology-enabled classrooms will support a combination of online and in-person instruction, with educational spaces right-sized for appropriate density metrics.
