Higher Education

The University of New Mexico completed construction of the $67 million Physics, Astronomy, and Interdisciplinary Science Center in Albuquerque in October of 2019. Designed by EYP Architecture & Engineering and Van H. Gilbert, the 139,100-gsf facility houses the department of physics and astronomy as well as accommodating research programs in bioinformatics, genomics, electron microscopy, optics, spatial informatics, stable isotopes, and human and primate biomedical research.

Almost every field of endeavor has been supercharged in recent years by the advent of “big data”—the ability of computers to process and analyze large data sets to gather insights. The business of creating student spaces on campuses is no different. June Hanley and Scott Foral of HDR have used big data in several projects, and offer some wisdom on how to turn raw data into actionable results.

The University of Central Arkansas broke ground in October of 2019 on the $37.7 million Integrated Health Sciences Building in Conway. Designed by Taggart Architects, the 80,000-sf facility will provide technology-rich classrooms and collaboration spaces for the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences.

The University of Rhode Island opened the $150 million Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering in September of 2019 in Kingston. Designed by Ballinger to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, the six-story, 190,000-sf facility provides three large active-learning classrooms, teaching and research labs, core instrumentation suites, two computer labs, a robotics lab, a 24/7 student maker space, and capstone project areas. The building also offers 90 faculty offices, six faculty lounges, and six conference rooms.

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville broke ground in October of 2018 on a $129 million engineering building. Designed by McCarty Holsaple McCarty with SmithGroup as laboratory planner, the 228,000-sf multidisciplinary building will provide the Tickle College of Engineering with flexible research labs, maker spaces, project rooms, collaboration areas, divisible classrooms, an atrium, and dedicated space for the department of nuclear engineering. Completion is expected in fall of 2021.

Harvey Mudd College broke ground in late September of 2019 on the $30 million McGregor Computer Science Center in Claremont, Calif. Designed by Steinberg Hart, the three-story, 36,000-sf facility will collocate the department of computer science with a campus-wide maker space to create a vibrant hub for project-based learning.

The College of Southern Maryland is building the $31 million Center for Health Sciences in Hughesville, Md. Designed by Grimm & Parker as a flexible, forward-thinking facility, the 50,000-sf building will feature specialized teaching labs for programs including nursing, emergency medical services, health information management, medical laboratory technology, medical assisting, pharmacy technician, massage therapy, and rehabilitation.

The University of Texas at Austin broke ground in October of 2019 on the $168 million Gary L. Thomas Energy Engineering Building. Designed as a hub for energy-related education, research, and innovation, the 184,300-gsf building will feature leading-edge labs and classrooms, collaboration environments, and student project spaces. The six-story multidisciplinary facility will house the Cockrell School's mechanical, chemical, and petroleum engineering programs.

Stonehill College dedicated the $35 million Leo J. Meehan School of Business in October of 2019 in Easton, Mass. Designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative, the three-story, 63,450-sf facility features adaptive classrooms, collaboration spaces, simulated trading rooms, and business innovation studios with integrated maker spaces.

Texas Tech University opened the $77 million Experimental Sciences Building II in October of 2019 in Lubbock, Texas. Comprising four stories and a basement level, the 117,000-gsf facility provides collaborative environments for interdisciplinary research including four general wet labs, three core instrumentation suites, two synthetic labs, a vivarium, a BSL-2 lab, conference rooms, and offices for researchers and principal investigators.

Marshall University opened Stephen J. Kopp Hall in September of 2019 in Huntington, Va. Designed by Perkins+Will and Edward Tucker Architects, the 49,500-sf building offers instructional spaces, administrative offices, pharmacological labs, and research facilities for the School of Pharmacy. Stephen J. Kopp Hall is strategically sited in a new health sciences precinct to support the growth of interdisciplinary education programs.

Katerra is constructing the $40 million Catalyst Building in Spokane, Wash. The five-story, 150,000-sf facility will accommodate leased space for Eastern Washington University's programs in computer science, electrical engineering, and visual communication design. Comprising two wings connected by a light-filled atrium, the collaborative $40 million building will provide dry labs, offices, classrooms, and study spaces.

Florida Polytechnic University broke ground in September of 2019 on the $40.6 million Applied Research Center in Lakeland. Designed by HOK as a hub for innovation and discovery, the 85,000-sf facility will provide teaching and research labs, student design spaces, conference rooms, faculty offices, and administrative space. The two-story building will feature a multistory atrium illuminated by natural light to encourage interaction between faculty, students, and industry partners.

Swarthmore College opened the $120 million Maxine Frank Singer '52 Hall in September of 2019 in Swarthmore, Pa. Designed by Ballinger to accommodate programs in biology, engineering, and psychology, the 160,000-sf facility provides flexible classrooms, labs, and common spaces to support enhanced pedagogical experiences linked to environmental sustainability. The interdisciplinary building comprises a lab wing, a garden pavilion containing departmental offices, and a transparent three-story commons.

Challenged by a two-fold increase in undergraduate enrollment over the past six years, the Washkewicz College of Engineering at Cleveland State University has invested $62 million in a building addition to continue its commitment to students and industry to graduate “ready-to-go engineers.” The 100,000-sf Washkewicz Hall, completed in two stages in December 2017 and December 2018, adjoins the 200,000-sf Fenn Hall, which has been the home of the College of Engineering for decades.