Assumption University is constructing a $13 million health sciences building in Worcester, Mass. Designed by Nault Architects, the 41,000-sf facility will accommodate undergraduate programs in nursing and physician assistant studies, as well as providing students of all academic disciplines with welcoming study spaces, meeting rooms, and collaboration areas.
Golden West College opened the $57 million Math and Science Building in December of 2019 in Huntington Beach, Calif. Designed by HMC Architects to promote innovation and invention, the collaborative 120,516-sf facility houses a STEM center, 18 wet and dry science labs, lecture spaces, classrooms, group study areas, and faculty offices. Offering engaging environments for hands-on learning, the three-story structure provides multifunctional spaces that encourage investigating, exploring, making, and communicating.
Boston University broke ground on the $288 million Center for Computing & Data Sciences in December of 2019. Located on the Charles River Campus, the 19-story structure will comprise a four-story podium topped by 13 floors, with MEP systems located on additional basement and penthouse levels. Collocating the departments of statistics, mathematics, and computer science, the 350,000-sf building will include terraced platforms with whiteboard walls and a collaboration ramp to promote interaction and innovation.
Louisiana Tech University opened the $40 million Integrated Engineering and Science Building in December of 2019 in Ruston. Designed by Bledsoe Architects, the three-story, 130,000-sf facility offers engaging spaces for project-based learning such as prototyping suites, fabrication labs, and design studios.
Emory University broke ground on a $260 million biomedical research facility in December of 2019 in Atlanta. Designed by HOK to promote synergy and innovation, the multidisciplinary building will offer 346,000 sf of dedicated research space for programs in biomedical engineering, imaging sciences, cardiovascular medicine, oncology, pediatric health, inflammation, emerging infections, and immunity and immunotherapeutics.
Vermeulens has released its market outlook report for the third quarter of 2019. Key points include:
Concordia University of Nebraska opened the $24.5 million Dunklau Center for Science, Math and Business in November of 2019 in Seward. Comprising 58,000 sf of new construction and 28,000 sf of renovated space, the 86,000-sf facility accommodates programs in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, agricultural science, mathematics, business, and computer science.
The University of Southern Maine is planning to break ground in spring of 2020 on a $100 million student center and residence complex in Portland. Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, the project will be constructed with cross-laminated timber and will leverage Passive House ventilation strategies to optimize energy efficiency. The 60,000-sf student hub and career center will border one side of a new college green, adjacent to two interlocking dormitories providing 379 residential units offering approximately 575 beds.
The Ohio State University is planning to construct two collocated research facilities in its West Campus innovation district in Columbus. Designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners and Moody Nolan, the 305,000-sf Interdisciplinary Research Facility will provide a vivarium, support spaces, and wet, computational, and core labs for programs in engineering and medical research.
The University at Albany, State University of New York (UAlbany) has developed a rigorous new process for allocating space to improve utilization, decrease operating costs, and create more collaborative research environments capable of attracting high-quality researchers and students. The initiative was triggered in part by a growing influx of students and faculty and the creation of two new colleges—the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity; and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The new space allocation and management process helps reduce the role politics plays in decision-making and better aligns facility use with university goals. The basis for the process is an understanding that campus space is a valuable limited resource that should be strategically deployed to achieve specific measurable goals, just like staffing or capital.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo dedicated the $31 million Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy in December of 2019. Designed by SmithGroup and WCIT Architecture, the 45,000-sf facility offers technology-rich environments for applied learning including collaborative classrooms, teaching labs, seminar rooms, and a simulated pharmacy. The three-story structure includes research labs for pharmaceutical discovery as well as a medication therapy management suite, consultation rooms, and a resource center.
Florida Atlantic University hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for its $35 million Neuroscience Building in Jupiter in November of 2019. Construction will begin in summer of 2020 on the facility, which will provide shared research labs, faculty offices, a business incubator, and instructional space for programs in neuroscience, biotechnology, bioengineering, bioinformatics, and chemistry. The 58,000-sf project is strategically sited on the John D.
Dixie State University dedicated the $60 million Human Performance Center in November of 2019 in St. George, Utah. Collocating academic, athletic, and recreational functions in a single integrated location, the 155,000-sf building provides learning environments, fitness facilities, and multipurpose spaces for the Health & Human Performance Department.
Michigan State University broke ground on the $85 million Doug Meijer Innovation Building in Grand Rapids in November of 2019. Designed by SmithGroup, the 205,000-sf facility will house multiple tenants including Spectrum Health, BAMF Health, and MSU's College of Human Medicine. The collaborative six-story building will enable the discovery and commercialization of new medical devices, artificial intelligence technologies, and treatments for cancer and dementia.
Flexibility is the key to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, long regarded as a prime example of successful industry/academic spaces, where 190 graduate students in the media arts and sciences pursue degrees and engage in a wide research agenda. The Lab occupies 163,000 gsf across two buildings: part of the Weisner building, which opened in 1985, and a six-story addition completed in 2009, a decade after design began. The majority of the Lab’s $80 million operating budget is supported through a corporate membership model.
