Texas Tech University Celebrates Opening of New Academic Building

Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new, 130,000-square-foot Academic Sciences Building (ASB), according to a news release. The facility stands three stories and broke ground about two and a half years ago. It plays home to five academic departments in the College of Arts & Sciences: Biological Sciences, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Geosciences, Physics & Astronomy, and Psychological Sciences.

It will also house four core interdisciplinary research labs (human sampling, a clean room, biosafety level 2, and biosafety level 3), as well as academic classrooms, general laboratory and research space, faculty offices, and public gathering spaces, the news release reports. The building’s courtyard includes an IGOR telescope from White Sands Missile Range.

“The Academic Sciences Building is a testament to Texas Tech’s vision for the future while honoring the traditional beauty of our campus,” said Lawrence Schovanec, Texas Tech President. “As the first building to open in our university’s second century, it embodies our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, cutting-edge research and exceptional student experiences.”

The project cost $112.5 million, $12.5 million of which came from an appropriation from the Texas Legislature during its 2021 session.

“This space will allow not only existing students to thrive and reach new heights but will have significant impact on our ability to attract future students and additional outstanding faculty,” said Tosha Dupras, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. “I look forward to two weeks from now, when the hallways, classrooms and labs will be filled with students and faculty.”

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Miami University Approves New $242M Multipurpose Arena

    Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, recently announced that its Board of Trustees has approved construction of a new multipurpose arena at Cook Field, according to university news. The $242-million project will serve as a new centralized hub for student life and create space for economic development on campus.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.

  • Girl Sitting at Library Desk, Using Laptop

    How Campus Design Shapes the Finals Week Experience

    Academic performance is not just about preparation. It is closely tied to how students manage stress, maintain their energy, and shift between work and recovery modes. Much of that is influenced, directly or indirectly, by design.

  • Wold Architects & Engineers Acquires VPS Architecture

    Full-service planning, architecture, and engineering firm Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has acquired VPS Architecture, according to a news release. The move will help strengthen Wold’s education and public-sector design expertise, industries in which both companies have strong pre-existing ties and relationships.