The need for more space to accommodate a daily backlog of unwashed cages sparked a $40 million gut renovation of the two-building animal research facility on the campus of the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) in Bethesda, Md. When the conjoined structures reopen this fall, they will be fully equipped with up-to-date features that facilitate animal care compliance, promote employee satisfaction, and offer uber-flexibility.
NASA Glenn Research Center opened the Research Support Building in July of 2022 in Cleveland. Designed by TEN Arquitectos and ASA as a vibrant nexus of interaction and innovation, the two-story, 64,000-sf facility provides collaborative engineering suites, open and private offices, conference rooms, and training areas. Accommodating approximately 164 employees, the flexible and inclusive development features a communal dining area as well as a 6,000-sf outdoor commons.
Hobbs Brook Real Estate opened a 507,000-sf life sciences complex in June of 2022 in Waltham, Mass. Designed by Gensler, the five-story facility provides state-of-the-art research labs, Class A office environments, and a 150-person conference venue. Integrating advanced mechanical and electrical systems, the highly flexible structure offers column-free floor plates that can be configured to support large single-floor tenants or multiple smaller tenants, with amenities centralized in the core.
The University of Cincinnati is constructing the $76.6 million Clifton Court Hall to unify social science programs into a vibrant ecosystem of research, learning, and engagement. Designed by LMN Architects and KZF Design, the 180,000-gsf structure will collocate the departments of psychology, philosophy, journalism, German studies, and Romance and Arabic languages with the School of Public and International Affairs and the School of Communication, Film, and Media Studies.
Takeda is partnering with BioMed Realty to create a 600,000-sf R&D center in Cambridge. Designed by CBT Architects, the 16-story facility will provide sophisticated lab and office environments for the discovery of next-generation biopharmaceutical therapies and vaccines. Takeda has executed a 15-year lease for all of the research floors in the building, which will feature flexible spaces that maximize in-person interaction and connection under a hybrid working model.
San Francisco State University is building the $169 million Science & Engineering Innovation Center to provide leading-edge labs and classrooms for STEM education. Delivered by the design-build team of SmithGroup and DPR Construction, the 179,000-sf complex will comprise 125,000 sf of new construction and 54,000 sf of renovated space. The collaborative facility will feature three studio-style chemistry teaching venues with configurable workstations that will integrate lab and lecture functions in a single interactive setting.
Conscience Bay Company is planning to construct the Ridgeway Science & Technology facility in Boulder, Colo. Designed by Stantec to foster discovery and innovation, the two-story, 112,423-sf development will offer flexible lab and office environments complemented by collaboration spaces, outdoor terraces, shower and locker rooms, secure bike storage, and a café with a fire pit. The high-performance structure will integrate robust mechanical and electrical systems to meet the demands of next-generation research programs.
Clark University broke ground in April of 2022 on the Center for Media Arts, Computing, and Design in Worcester, Mass. Designed by Ayers Saint Gross as a hub for interdisciplinary innovation, the two-wing structure will house the Department of Computer Science, the Becker School of Design & Technology, and some programs within the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.
UK Research & Innovation began construction in June of 2022 on the £93 million National Quantum Computing Centre in Harwell in the United Kingdom. Located on the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Campus in Oxfordshire, the 50,000-sf innovation hub will provide dry labs, collaboration spaces, meeting rooms, and offices where multidisciplinary teams will design, build, and operate quantum computers.
Colorado State University opened the Terra Building in Denver in June of 2022. Located on the Spur campus, the 60,000-sf facility offers immersive environments for agricultural research, education, and outreach. Featuring state-of-the-art laboratories and plant growth chambers, the sustainably designed project includes a teaching and culinary kitchen, sensory testing areas, classrooms, a K-12 discovery center, and venues for events and performances.
The University of Houston broke ground in May of 2022 on The Hub, a new retail food hall that will revolutionize the campus dining experience and become a premier gathering spot for students, faculty, and staff. Designed by Perkins&Will, the 41,000-sf facility will house diverse food concepts, a convenience store, a coffee venue, and the Cougar Card Office. Indoor and outdoor seating, including a second-floor patio, will accommodate up to 400 customers.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Net Zero Labs Pilot Initiative in May of 2022 to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies at National Laboratories. Supporting President Biden's climate goals, the program will catalyze the creation of net-zero solutions that can be replicated by federal, state, and local governments. Establishing a model for the decarbonization of complex structures with stringent power and resiliency requirements, the $38 million pilot will advance projects at four facilities:
Missouri University of Science and Technology is constructing the $37 million Innovation Lab in Rolla. Enhancing the recruitment and retention of first-year students, the 50,000-sf facility will feature maker spaces, idea labs, active-learning classrooms, and specialized environments for augmented and virtual reality technologies. The highly transparent structure will offer collaboration venues of various sizes to promote experiential education and entrepreneurship.
St. John's University broke ground on the $106 million Health Sciences Center in New York in May of 2022. Located on the Queens campus, the 70,000-sf facility will provide state-of-the-art laboratories, active learning classrooms, and simulation suites to train the next generation of caregivers. Housing the School of Nursing and other allied health programs, the project will promote interprofessional education with flexible teaching venues where teams of students can work together.
Spelman College began construction in May of 2022 on the $86 million Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation & the Arts in Atlanta. Designed by Studio Gang and Goode Van Slyke Architecture, the 84,000-sf facility will accommodate thriving programs in dance, documentary filmmaking, photography, music, and theater and performance. Opening onto a public plaza, the five-story building will include The Porch, a community-facing zone with a dance performance studio, a black box theater, an art gallery, and a café.
