Higher Ed


Belmont Abbey College Selects Architect for New Performing Arts Center

Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., recently announced the selection of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting (Little) to serve as the project architect for its new Visual and Performing Arts Center, according to a news release. The 1,000-seat theater will serve the college and local community as a home for theater, visual arts, performing arts, art exhibitions, and other cultural and educational events.

DLR Group Hires New Higher Education Business Development Leader

Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has named a new Higher Education Business Development Leader who will serve out of the firm’s New York studio, according to a news release.

Call for Opinions: Spaces4Learning 2025 Predictions for Educational Facilities

The K–12 and higher education facilities landscapes are always evolving. Schools are constantly adapting to technology advances, pedagogy changes, sustainability initiatives, and more.

North Dakota State University Starts Construction on Research Lab

North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., recently began construction on the new, $78-million Bolley Agricultural Research Laboratory, according to a news release. The university partnered with JLG Architects and Clark & Enersen for the building’s design and with Kraus-Anderson for its construction.

The Intersection of Education and Healthcare

In the realm of modern medical education, the pursuit of excellence knows no bounds. Belmont University's latest endeavor, state-of-the-art Thomas F. Frist, Jr., College of Medicine and Center for Interprofessional Engagement & Simulation, epitomizes this relentless quest for an innovative approach to training future health care.

Hartwick College Debuts Baking Innovation Lab

Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., recently debuted its new Baking Innovation Lab (BIL), part of the Hartwick Center for Craft Food and Beverage, according to a news release. The 3,500-square-foot facility serves as a lab for innovation, collaboration, and experimentation within the food and grain sector.

University of Michigan Medical Campus to Build $35M Parking Structure

The Board of Regents at the University of Michigan recently approved the construction of a new, $35-million parking structure for its Medical Campus in Ann Arbor, Mich., according to a university news release. It will provide 570 new spaces for visitors to the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Pavilion and is scheduled for completion in winter 2026.

Virginia Tech Establishes New Facility for School of Construction

Virginia Tech recently partnered with construction management firm Procon Consulting to establish the Procon Innovation Center on its campus in Blacksburg, Va., according to a news release. The facility inside the university’s newly built Hitt Hall will offer hands-on collaboration and learning opportunities for students in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction and College of Engineering.

UMass Amherst to Build New School of Public Health & Health Services HUB

The University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, Mass., recently began construction on a new home for the School of Public Health & Health Services (SPHHS), whose current academic spaces are currently scattered around campus, according to a news release.

University of Florida to Start Construction on New Agricultural, Engineering Building

The University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., recently announced that it will soon begin construction on a new academic building for the department of agricultural and biological engineering (ABE), according to a news release. The W.W. Glenn Teaching Building is scheduled to begin construction by the end of 2024 and finish by August 2025, in time for the new academic year.

Tennessee College Selects Designers for $72M Renovation Project

Tennessee College of Applied Tech Memphis (TCAT Memphis) in Memphis, Tenn., recently announced that it has approved documents from DLR Group and 4FDesign for an upcoming multi-phased renovation project, a news release reports. DLR Group previously completed the college’s 2020 TCAT Statewide Master Plan Update.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Debuts New Chemistry Building

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wis., recently celebrated the grand opening of a new Chemistry Building, according to a news release. The facility measures in at 163,400 square feet, stands four stories, and has the capacity for about 5,000 chemistry and biochemistry students.

Adelphi University Launches $100M Fundraising Campaign

Adelphi University in Garden City, N.Y., recently launched The Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact, a $100-million fundraising initiative, at a gala on campus, according to a news release. The campaign is set to last through 2027 and fund six strategic priorities to improve success on campus.

TCU Completes Construction on New Medical School Building

Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, recently completed construction on a new home for the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, according to a news release. Arnold Hall, standing four stories and covering 95,000 square feet, is the university’s first major off-campus development.

Colorado State University Starts Construction on Liberal Arts Building Renovation

Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., recently began construction on a $137-million renovation project to one of its largest academic buildings, according to local news. Last week, one of the three wings of Clark Hall (“Clark B”) was demolished to clear the way for a ground-up replacement.

University of Kentucky Opens New Design Building

The University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Gray Design Building, the new home for the College of Design. The renovated building formerly served as a tobacco warehouse that had been empty for years, according to a news release.

DLR Group Appoints New Senior Design Researcher

Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has appointed Dr. Kati Peditto, Ph.D., EDAC, as the new senior design researcher for its research team, according to a news release. Peditto is a design psychologist who specializes in inclusive design and neurodiversity, joining the firm’s office in Denver, Colo.

St. John’s University Dedicates New Health Sciences Center

St. John’s University in New York, N.Y., recently held a dedication ceremony for the new St. Vincent Health Sciences Center, according to a news release. The fully-energy efficient, sustainable, and all-electric facility will serve as an academic building for the university’s healthcare students.

NRC Issues Construction Permit for Molten Salt Reactor at Texas University

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently issued a construction permit to Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, to build the Natural Resources molten salt reactor, according to a news release. The Natura MSR-1 will become the first NRC-licensed liquid fueled salt reactor in U.S. history and the first U.S. university research reactor that has been approved in more than 30 years.

Georgia Gwinnett College Construction Project Nears Completion

The Georgia Gwinnett College (GCC) Gateway Building and Infrastructure project in Lawrenceville, Ga., is on track for its November 2024 completion date, according to a news release.

Harvard University Breaks Ground on New Performance Venue

Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction has begun on a new performing arts center for the campus, according to a news release. The David E. and Stacey L. Goel Center for Creativity & Performance will serve as the new home for the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.), as well as a wide variety of performances, public gatherings, teaching opportunities, and international research.

NDSU Completes Construction on New Agricultural Complex

North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., recently announced that construction is complete on its newest agricultural facility. The Peltier Complex will play home to research in fields like food science, meat science, muscle biology, food safety and nutrition, consumer sensory traits, and developing new agricultural products, according to a news release.

Purdue University

Purdue Celebrates Grand Opening of Large Esports Facility

Purdue University has officially opened a new gaming lounge for students training and competing in esports as well as casual gamers. The institution partnered with Dell Technologies to outfit the 2,000-square-foot-space with Alienware gaming equipment.

Saint Francis University Opens Aviation Education Center

Saint Francis University in Loretto, Penn., recently held a Blessing and Dedication ceremony for its new Aviation Education Center at the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, according to a news release. The building’s opening coincides with the inaugural year of the university’s FAA-certified Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) program.

Riverside Community College District Completes $29.3M Renovation Project

Riverside City College recently announced the completion of a $29.3-million renovation project, according to a news release. The college partnered with Nineteen Six Architects and builder C.W. Driver Companies to convert a 1960s-era academic building into a new Business, Law, and Computer Information Systems Building.

Breck School

3 Institutions Digitize Campus Facility Operations

Property operations and maintenance software provider Facilio has onboarded three new education institutions, the company announced in a press release. Breck School in Minnesota, Purdue University Fort Wayne in Indiana, and Acorn Early Years in the United Kingdom will all implement Facilio's Connected CMMS suite.

University of Montana Breaks Ground on New Residence Hall

The University of Montana in Missoula, Mont., recently broke ground on a new, 600-bed residence hall to address housing needs on campus, according to a university news release. The university has seen three consecutive years of enrollment growth against the backdrop of a local housing market less than conducive to student needs.

Princeton University Orders Mullen Class 3 EV Truck

Mullen Automotive recently announced that Princeton University in Princeton, N.J., recently purchased a Mullen THREE, Class 3 electric vehicle (EV) box truck upfit for its facilities operations unit, according to a news release. The unit includes about 350 vehicles—including cars, vans, golf carts, and construction vehicles—for various transportation needs around campus.

One if by Land & Two if by Sea

The United States' five State Maritime Academies are responsible for educating the next generation of officers in the merchant marine. To better equip those five institutions to provide that critical educational foundation, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has been gradually working to decommission and replace their current fleet of training ships––which were originally designed for the use of steam power and have begun to age beyond their viability.

McGraw Hill Launches Two GenAI Tools for K–12, Higher Ed Students

Global education company McGraw Hill recently announced that it has added two new generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools to help personalize learning experiences for both K–12 and Higher Ed students, according to a news release.

Construction Underway on New Housing, Dining Facility for CSU San Marcos

Construction on the new University Village Housing and Dining (UHVD) facility at Cal State University San Marcos in San Marcos, Calif., recently hit a milestone, according to a news release. Project builder McCarthy Building Companies recently announced the concrete start and tower crane arrival for the 140,661-square-foot facility, which is scheduled for completion in summer 2026.

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.

DLR Group Hires New Science+Technology Leader

Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that Principal Dominick Roveto will serve as its new Science+Technology Leader in the higher education, workplace, and healthcare sectors. According to a news release, his specialty is creating technical, interactive environments that allow for collaboration between different scientific and academic disciplines.

Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

Schools In Focus: Being Transparent About School Safety Design

Today’s guest is Devin Bowman, General Manager of Technical Glass Products (TGP) and AD Systems. We’ll talk about the relationship between school architecture and designing for safety as design aspects like natural light and floor-to-ceiling windows become more common.

Temple University to Establish Second Regional Medical School Campus

Temple University’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine recently announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with WellSpan Health to establish a second regional campus in Central Pennsylvania, according to a news release.

Wold Architects & Engineers Adds New Member to Associates Leadership Team

Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has promoted Jacob Marshall to its Associates Leadership Team, according to a news release. Marshall has been with Wold for six years and serves as an electrical engineer, having contributed to the design and construction of multiple education- and government-sector projects.

Xavier University Welcomes Community Bikeshare Program

Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) in New Orleans, La., recently announced the expansion of a community-run bikeshare program to its campus, according to a news release. Blue Bikes offers students, staff, and faculty a convenient and sustainable means of transportation in its first expansion since relaunching in fall 2021.

NCES Releases Report on Crime, Safety in Schools

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics at the U.S. Department of Justice recently released its annual Report on Indicators of School Crime and Safety, a news release reports.

From Restoration to Transformation

Contrary to popular belief, most preservation work is future-oriented. Existing buildings are surprisingly resilient, allowing architects to preserve their unique features while adding modifications as needed to fit current safety, accessibility, and inclusivity needs. Balancing form and function can be a delicate operation in historic structures, but we have found inspiration in the culture and missions of the institutions we have worked with.

Spaces4Learning Announces 2024 New Product Award Winners

Spaces4Learning is proud to announce the winners of its 2024 New Product Award. The New Product Award program honors the outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products or services are considered to be particularly noteworthy in their ability to enhance the learning environment.

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