Case Western Reserve University Selects Architect for New Science Building

Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, recently announced that it has selected a designer for a new construction project on campus, according to a news release. The university chose interdisciplinary design firm HGA to design its Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building (ISEB), which comes with a price tag of $300 million and is the university’s largest construction project in decades.

The building will stand in the Case Quad, which plays home to the university’s science and engineering buildings, and its northern side will serve as an entrance to the campus for the community at large. Design features include a windowed façade and landscaped entryway. The ultimate goal of the project is to create an environment that will attract researchers, stimulate economic growth, and foster collaboration and breakthroughs across different academic disciplines.

“A well-designed research building brings enough collaborative space that encourages interaction without undermining the space required for technical laboratories,” said Chris Martin, HGA principal and Science & Technology Market Sector Leader. “This new building has a distinct goal—to provide interdisciplinary teams a space that will allow them to join forces. Partnering with established and growing industries on research initiatives could lead to solutions for the world’s challenges.”

Local news reports that the new facility will be designed to create a “seamless transition from university to community.” It will provide research space for sciences including chemistry, biology, and physics, and engineering fields including biomedical, computer, and mechanical.

“We have some really terrifically talented researchers, but they are working in spaces that are 50, 60, or 70 years old, and just not conducive to the modern research that we need to be doing,” said Case Western Reserve University President Eric Kaler.

The news release reports that once complete, the ISEB will play home to research initiatives including the development of industrial-scale batteries for electrical grids; new green processes for sustainability in manufacturing; studying pathogens in HVAC systems; and developing new types of prosthetics, among others.

Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2024 and finish in 2026.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • University of Oklahoma Announces New Campus Master Plan

    The University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., recently announced that it will soon launch a new, comprehensive Campus Master Plan to guide the campus’ physical development during the next decade, according to a news release.

  • University of Pittsburgh to Build New Residence Hall

    The Board of Trustees from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Penn., recently approved the construction of a new residence hall for first-year students, according to university news.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.