Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Florida Polytechnic University Debuts New Applied Research Center

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/15/22

Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, Fla., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new, $47-million Applied Research Center. The facility measures in at more than 90,000 square feet, according to a university news release, and it houses amenities like research and teaching laboratories, student design space, faculty offices and conference rooms, and study spaces. It also doubles the campus’ available lab and research space and aims to position Florida Polytechnic as one of the state’s leading STEM institutions.

The university partnered with architecture firm HOK and construction and development firm Skanska for the project. The building as received a LEED Silver certification and contains sustainability features like an insulated glazing system and reflective curtain wall.

“It is always a pleasure when we can partner with a long-term client like Florida Polytechnic University,” said Michael C. Brown, executive vice president and general manager of Skanska’s Florida building operations. “Our team is honored to deliver another state-of-the-art academic building that will afford the university more space to advance its STEM curriculum. Skanska has established itself as a leader in higher education construction, and as Florida continues to experience an influx of people and companies, we recognize that the state’s need for more academic space will continue to grow—and we stand ready to help address that demand.”

The project’s construction began in fall 2019, and the finished building stands in the northwest side of campus. Its architecture and design deliberately complements the nearby Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building, also built by Skanska and completed in 2014.

“The future is bright for Florida Poly, and our ambitions are high,” said University President Randy Avent. Our goal is to be a premier STEM university known for producing highly desirable graduates and new technology solutions. I strongly believe that with the new Applied Research Center, we are charging full speed toward that goal.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Texas A&M Opens First Building at Fort Worth Campus, Breaks Ground on Research Facility

    The Texas A&M University System marked a major milestone in the development of its Fort Worth campus by opening its first completed academic building and breaking ground on a second facility designed to expand research and industry collaboration.

  • Carnegie Mellon University Receives $3B Gift to Launch New Campus

    Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Penn., recently announced that it has received $3 billion—the largest individual gift in higher education history—from Citadel CEO and founder Ken Griffin, according to a news release.

  • Esports are Growing in Popularity

    Video games and esports are a popular social hobby, and it’s one that’s accessible to a wide variety of physical ability levels. Some esport student-athletes have started to earn scholarship opportunities, and high schools are beginning to form teams equipped with the same degree of resources as their physical sports teams. However, the two have very different needs.

  • UPenn Announces Completion of New Veterinary Education Facility

    The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., recently finished construction on an 11,800-square-foot veterinary education building, according to a news release. The Gail P. Riepe Center for Advanced Veterinary Education is the first dedicated classroom facility at the New Bolton Center, a large-animal hospital and campus about 35 miles west of the campus proper.