Add as a preferred source on Google

UMass Medical School Reveals Design for Nine-Story Research Center

  • By Matt Jones
  • 04/21/21

The University of Massachusetts Medical School, located in Worcester, Mass., unveiled the design this week for its new, $325-million therapeutics research and lab center. The New Education and Research Building, measuring in at 350,000 square feet, was designed by architecture firms ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge and ZGF. The nine-story complex is scheduled to open in fall 2023.

“The New Education and Research Building plays a key role in the future of our institution,” said Michael F. Collins, Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. “By co-locating strategic research programs and leveraging the power of collaboration, we will be able to fulfill our vision of life-changing therapies for some of the most intractable diseases we face.”

UMMS New Education and Research Building
Photo courtesy of ARC and ZGF

According to a news release, the facility will house the Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, the Medical School’s Horae Gene Therapy Center, a new program in Human Genetics & Evolutionary Biology, the program in Molecular Medicine, an FDA-compliant manufacturing center for clinical trial therapeutics, and space for 77 principal researchers.

“At a time in our history when scientific discovery is so vital to public health, our team is proud to be designing a facility that will expand the mission and capacity of the UMass Medical research community,” said Bryan Thorp, Associate Principal at ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge. “Everyone involved with the project is inspired by the dedication and commitment of the individuals behind this ongoing Worcester success story.”

The building was designed to meet the sustainability goals of achieving Net Zero Energy and LEED Gold Certification. Architectural features include a double-skin façade, geothermal heat pumps, and high-performance systems. Interior spaces integrate natural daylighting with active circulation and open, collaborative spaces to encourage productivity and a safe, healthy work environment.

“Through the mission of the UMMS researchers that will inhabit it and its high-performance architecture, the New Education and Research Building will address two grand challenges facing society: the threat of new and emerging diseases and the climate crisis,” said ZGF Partner Toby Hasselgren.

Terva | Trident will serve as the owner’s project manager, and Shawmut Design and Construction as the project’s construction manager.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • North Dakota State University Completes Music School Renovation

    North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., recently announced that construction on the Challey School of Music has finished, according to a news release. The university partnered with Foss Architecture & Interiors for design and Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and construction began in July 2024.

  • Anderson Brulé Architects Rebrands as ABA Studios

    Anderson Brulé Architects, based in San Jose, Calif., recently announced that it is celebrating 40 years of service by rebranding under a new name, according to a news release. The architectural, interior design, and planning firm will now be known as ABA Studios to refresh its identity underneath a new generation of leadership.

  • Empowering People Through Smart, Sustainable Campuses

    Sustainability is facing increasing scrutiny, with some questioning its costs and priorities. Yet for universities, it remains an essential driver of resilience, operational efficiency and long-term competitiveness. At the same time, there is a growing recognition that sustainable transformation is not just about reducing energy consumption and emissions to comply with tightening regulations ‒ it’s about creating vibrant, comfortable environments where people can thrive, innovate and connect. For university leadership, this is a complex balancing act, with rising energy costs and limited budgets only adding to the challenge.

  • KI Launches K–12 Classroom Furniture Giveaway

    Contract furniture company KI recently announced the launch of its fourth-annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway, which awards $50,000 each to four K–12 educators across the U.S., according to a news release. The goal is to address decreasing student engagement and increasing teacher burnout numbers by updating learning spaces to accommodate modern needs.

Digital Edition