Add as a preferred source on Google

UMass Medical School Reveals Design for Nine-Story Research Center

  • By Matt Jones
  • 04/21/21

The University of Massachusetts Medical School, located in Worcester, Mass., unveiled the design this week for its new, $325-million therapeutics research and lab center. The New Education and Research Building, measuring in at 350,000 square feet, was designed by architecture firms ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge and ZGF. The nine-story complex is scheduled to open in fall 2023.

“The New Education and Research Building plays a key role in the future of our institution,” said Michael F. Collins, Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. “By co-locating strategic research programs and leveraging the power of collaboration, we will be able to fulfill our vision of life-changing therapies for some of the most intractable diseases we face.”

UMMS New Education and Research Building
Photo courtesy of ARC and ZGF

According to a news release, the facility will house the Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, the Medical School’s Horae Gene Therapy Center, a new program in Human Genetics & Evolutionary Biology, the program in Molecular Medicine, an FDA-compliant manufacturing center for clinical trial therapeutics, and space for 77 principal researchers.

“At a time in our history when scientific discovery is so vital to public health, our team is proud to be designing a facility that will expand the mission and capacity of the UMass Medical research community,” said Bryan Thorp, Associate Principal at ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge. “Everyone involved with the project is inspired by the dedication and commitment of the individuals behind this ongoing Worcester success story.”

The building was designed to meet the sustainability goals of achieving Net Zero Energy and LEED Gold Certification. Architectural features include a double-skin façade, geothermal heat pumps, and high-performance systems. Interior spaces integrate natural daylighting with active circulation and open, collaborative spaces to encourage productivity and a safe, healthy work environment.

“Through the mission of the UMMS researchers that will inhabit it and its high-performance architecture, the New Education and Research Building will address two grand challenges facing society: the threat of new and emerging diseases and the climate crisis,” said ZGF Partner Toby Hasselgren.

Terva | Trident will serve as the owner’s project manager, and Shawmut Design and Construction as the project’s construction manager.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Upcoming University of Alabama Performing Arts Center Hits Construction Milestone

    The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., recently celebrated the topping out of its new Smith Family Center for Performing Arts, according to a news release. The university is partnering with HPM for program and project management on the facility, which broke ground in 2023 and is scheduled for completion in November 2026.

  • Preparing for the Next Era of Healthcare Education, Innovation

    Across the country, public universities and community colleges are accelerating investments in healthcare education facilities as part of a broader strategy to address workforce shortages, modernize outdated infrastructure, and expand clinical training capacity. These projects, which are often located at the center of campus health and science districts, are no longer limited to traditional classrooms.

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.

Digital Edition