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

  • A digital silhouette works at a computer, immersed in a glowing, interconnected world

    How Will AI Transform Learning Space Design?

    For years, higher education has designed learning spaces around technology as a tool for display, capture, collaboration, and connectivity. AI changes that equation.

  • Colorado School District Breaks Ground on Unified PK–12 Campus

    The Haxtun School District No. Re-2J in Haxtun, Colo., recently announced that ground has been broken on a renovation/addition project that will unite its two schools, Haxtun Elementary and Haxtun Jr/Sr High School, according to a news release.

  • 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.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.