Research and Development

Philadelphia-based Genesis AEC was able to reduce the square footage of a new translational medicine center of excellence by more than half and cut cost estimates by 16%, by reviewing the client’s needs versus wants; using innovative design practices, including a first-of-its-kind firewall design; and applying the approach known as “engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM).” The facility for a U.S.-based multi-national pharmaceutical company opened on Sept. 1, 2023.

Louisiana State University Health Shreveport celebrated the completion of the $79 million Center for Medical Education in December of 2023. Designed by Perkins&Will and Coleman Partners Architects, the four-story, 155,000-sf facility features a 500-seat auditorium-in-the-round, three 250-seat active learning classrooms, and 27 flexible instructional venues. Simulation suites and clinical skills labs leverage immersive technologies to enhance experiential education and training.

The University of Michigan broke ground in December of 2023 on a $250 million research and education building in Detroit. Designed by KPF, the University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI) will accommodate graduate programs in computer science, robotics, artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, financial technology, and sustainability. The 200,000-sf facility will also foster engagement with area residents by offering professional development classes, certificate courses, and workforce training opportunities.

Mayo Clinic opened the $120 million Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Building in December of 2023 in Rochester, Minn. Designed by HDR, the 176,000-sf structure provides flexible, open labs for basic and translational research in oncology and neurology. Accommodating multidisciplinary teams of investigators, clinicians, and data analysts, the 11-story facility will accelerate the discovery of new therapies through the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies.

Arizona State University broke ground in December of 2023 on Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 12 (ISTB12). Located on the Polytechnic campus in Mesa, the $185 million project will provide the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering with a centralized home for the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks.

Prince Street Partners is planning a 282,000-sf life science complex in Redwood City, Calif. Designed by Brick, now part of HGA, the project involves the adaptive reuse of an existing 85,000-sf building and the demolition of two other structures. A new five-story, 197,000-sf facility sited atop a two-level garage will be constructed to provide leasable lab and office environments for BSL-1 and BSL-2 research programs.

The University of South Alabama broke ground in December of 2023 on a dynamic new home for the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine in Mobile. Designed by Perkins&Will and Eskew Dumez Ripple, the $200 million facility will address a nationwide shortage of physicians by enabling the first-year class size to increase from 80 to 100, with the capability to accommodate 125 students in the future.

Cornell University is constructing the $54 million Atkinson Hall in Ithaca, N.Y. Designed by Lake Flato and SWBR, the 104,000-gsf facility will meet the diverse needs of four unique programs, all of which are university-wide in scope. The multidisciplinary research building will house and support the growth of the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, the Department of Computational Biology, the Center for Cancer Biology, and the Center for Immunology, including the Friedman Center for Nutrition and Inflammation.

The University of Sheffield broke ground in November of 2023 on an £80 million aerospace manufacturing research center in the United Kingdom. Catalyzing the aviation industry’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the 29,700-sf Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS) building will house the Boeing-led Isothermic High-Rate Sustainable Structures (IHSS) project. This world-class innovation hub will support the development and testing of new technologies to address the demand for lighter commercial aircraft.

Mayo Clinic is planning a $5 billion redevelopment and expansion of its healthcare campus in Rochester, Minn. Designed by Foster + Partners and CannonDesign, the strategic initiative will introduce new facilities that combine innovative care concepts and digital technologies to transform the patient experience, advance translational research, and improve outcomes. Comprising five new buildings, related infrastructure, and utilities, the project will provide a total of approximately 2.4 million sf of space.

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is constructing a 39,200-sf research facility to catalyze innovation and discovery in engineering, computing, and the sciences. Built to accommodate unknown end users, the two-story structure will offer 18 flexible laboratories that can be customized to support wet, dry, or multimodal programs. The highly adaptable project was designed by HBT Architects, now part of MRB Group. DGA Builders is acting as construction manager with occupancy anticipated in fall of 2024.

The Georgetown Company is planning to construct a 185,000-sf life sciences center in the Hell's Kitchen district of Manhattan in New York City. Created in partnership with Beacon Capital and ZoE Life Sciences, the seven-story facility will provide purpose-built research environments for biomedical and pharmaceutical tenants. The highly collaborative structure will offer flexible floorplates starting at 31,000 sf that can accommodate a variety of lab and office configurations.

The Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association (SEFA) announced the winners of the Lab of the Year Award program in November of 2023. Recognizing the creation of an outstanding laboratory building or complex, the awards reflect the vital contributions of the entire project team, including the facility’s designers, engineers, contractors, material vendors, and client representatives.

Morgan State University is planning to break ground in mid-2025 on the $337 million Science and Research Complex in Baltimore. Designed by Moody Nolan in association with CannonDesign and K. Dixon Architecture, the 246,000-gsf facility will provide next-generation environments for programs in biology and chemistry.

Touchstone is constructing the Chapter Buildings in Seattle to provide Class A lab and office environments in the heart of the University District. Created in partnership with Portman Holdings and Lionstone Investments, the mixed-use project includes the creation of two buildings linked by an 8,000-sf pedestrian thoroughfare. Tenants will enjoy large, open floor plans of up to 31,000 sf with abundant natural light and operable windows.