Cornell Starts Construction on New Computer Science Building

Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, recently began construction on a new facility for the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science (Cornell Bowers CIS), according to a news release. The 135,000-square-foot building will play home to the departments of Computer Science, Information Science, and Statistics and Data Science, united within one complex for the first time. Local news reports that construction is scheduled for completion in 2025.

The new building will stand four stories and connect to the existing Bill & Melinda Gates Hall. The ground floor will feature central gathering spaces like a café, commons, interactive classroom, large builder labs, a maker space, and an outdoor courtyard, according to the news release. The three research floors will be divided into two wings containing research offices, computational labs, and collaborative space. Dean Kavita Bala said that the new facility will “expand opportunities for student research and experiential learning with new research initiatives that will position us for continued world leadership in tech.”

The university partnered with Leers Weinzapfel Associates for the building’s design. According to a 2022 university news story, the structure was designed with sustainability in mind and uses high-performance building materials and practices including carbon reduction, water conservation, energy use reduction, and an integrated landscape.

“Our goal is to create a place for both the dynamic exchange of ideas and for quiet, focused research,” said Andrea Leers, Principal-in-Charge.

“There’s a huge intellectual benefit from having the departments together as a coherent and collaborative whole,” said Bala in 2022. “The inspiration that results from working close together and serendipitously meeting each other is going to have a huge positive impact on seeing new kinds of ideas that cross disciplines and department boundaries.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at mjones@1105media.com.

Featured

  • IFMA Appoints New President & CEO

    The International Facility Management Association (IFMA), based in Houston, Texas, recently announced its appointment of Michael Geary, CAE, as its new President & CEO, according to a news release. Geary’s previous role was as CEO of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and the SMPS Foundation.

  • UTEP Celebrates Construction Milestone for New Academic Building

    The University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, Texas, recently held a “topping out” ceremony for its new learning complex, Texas Western Hall, according to university news. The construction milestone marks the placement of the last beam of a structure in progress.

  • Boosting Student Wellness and Safety Through Indoor-Outdoor School Spaces

    Engaging students through facilities designed for indoor and outdoor learning and activities reflects a growing awareness of how children learn and thrive, with educators recognizing the importance of getting outside and disconnecting from technology. And, as today’s youth grapple with the urgent mental health crisis of increased anxiety and loneliness fueled by both the pandemic and technology, along with a related crisis in youth physical health, the wellness benefits of getting outside have never been so palpable.

  • bar graph with the bars made out of abstract cinder blocks and other construction materials

    Spaces4Learning 2025 Trends in K–12: Materials & Construction

    With 2025 well underway, it’s time to take a look at some broader trends submitted by you, our Spaces4Learning readership. We asked for your thoughts on topics like classroom design, health & safety, materials & construction, and technology in both K–12 and higher-education environments. Below is a roundup of 2025 trends in K–12 materials and construction from the experts in the trenches.