Auburn University Starts Construction on College of Education Building

  • By Matt Jones
  • 05/18/23

Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., recently announced that construction has begun on a new facility for the College of Education, a university news release reports. The new building will cost an estimated $77 million and has an estimated completion date of spring 2025.

The 167,000-square-foot facility was designed with modern teaching methods and practices in mind and was deliberately created to serve as a student-centered facility. It will feature amenities like collaborative classrooms, instruction labs, upgraded technology, and administrative space for staff and faculty.

“The new facility will enable the college to consolidate its departments into one building that is located at a prominent campus location,” said Simon Yendle, the university’s assistant vice president for Planning, Design, and Construction at Facilities Management. “It will feature large, bright classrooms and lecture halls like those in the Mell Classroom Building and the Academic Classroom and Laboratory Complex.”

The building was designed with energy efficiency and environmental consciousness in mind, with the aim of achieving a LEED silver certification.

“Our new building will be a hub of activity to bring students together and give them easy access to their classrooms and laboratories,” said Auburn College of Education Dean Jeffrey T. Fairbrother. “It will also provide a one-stop location for support services such as advising and those provided by our Learning Resources Center. Ultimately, our new facility will promote student collaboration in study and meeting spaces and, importantly, facilitate interaction with our faculty and staff. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to better serve our students.”

The university partnered with Architect of Record Stacy Norman Architects LLC and Design Architect SmithGroup, Inc., on the project, according to the university website.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Nonprofit Launches Center to Boost Data-Driven Student Success Strategies

    National nonprofit Complete College America (CCA) recently launched the Center for Leadership, Institutional Metrics, and Best Practices (CLIMB), according to a news release. CLIMB’s ultimate purpose is to help higher-education institutions use data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes by providing tools, frameworks, and support.

  • Ancient Resilience: How Indigenous Intelligence Shapes the 4Roots Education Building

    As climate change intensifies, educational spaces must evolve beyond basic sustainability toward true resilience – we must design environments that can adapt, respond, and thrive amid shifting, and intensifying, climate hazards. Drawing on indigenous wisdom and nature-based strategies, integrating resilient design offers a path to create learning environments that are not only functional but deeply in tune with their natural surroundings.

  • Agualta STEAM Engine

    Outdoor Learning Spaces and Biophilic Design Create Community in East Los Angeles

    Griffith STEAM Magnet Middle School's Agualta STEAM Engine blends education, community, and nature through its adaptable design.

  • Florida Elementary School to Undergo $47M Reconstruction

    The School District of Osceola County in Kissimmee, Fla., recently announced a partnership with construction firm Skanska to reconstruct Reedy Creek Elementary School, according to a news release. The $47-million project will involve the new construction of a 96,000-square-foot academic center, renovating the remaining facilities, a full-site redevelopment, and demolishing portions of the existing school.

Digital Edition