Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

UAB Completes Phase I of STEM Complex Construction

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/14/23

The University of Alabama at Birmingham recently announced that the first phase of construction on a new Science and Engineering Complex is complete, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Hoar Construction on the three-phase project, which will unite all of the university’s basic science undergraduate and graduate programs underneath one roof. Phase I consists of a 138,842-square-foot, four-story facility featuring labs and classrooms for biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as administrative space.

“We are proud to deliver this project to the students, faculty, and staff at UAB, as the new Science and Engineering Complex represents a significant commitment to advancing the university’s prowess as a key research hub that enhances career opportunities and bolsters economic development across Alabama,” said Chad Holland, project executive at Hoar. “This project was completed at the highest quality for the next generation of students, leaders and innovators within science and engineering. Hoar remains steadfast in our commitment to build top-tier projects across all realms of higher education, and we are honored to contribute to the university’s growth in our hometown of Birmingham.”

The facility was designed as a team-learning environment that will promote student collaboration between both students and faculty in different scientific disciplines. Specialized workspaces include an optics lab, research labs for student shadowing, and cold-growth environment rooms.

The news release reports that Hoar used computerized, 3D models of the structure to address design concerns during the construction process. The models were used to assess material quantities, optimize item placement, and identify design conflicts. Additionally, Building Information Modeling (BIM) were used to streamline the installation of plumbing and electrical components to save both time and cost.

The university is also partnering with lead architect Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood for the building’s design, as well as Lord Aeck Sargent (LAS) for lab and research space consulting.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • 144-Year-Old High-School Campus Debuts New Academic Facility

    San Diego High School (SDHS) in San Diego, Calif., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new student services and classroom building; the project is part of a larger SDHS Whole Site Modernization project that began in 2022.

  • Utah Valley University Opens New Engineering Building

    Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, recently held a grand-opening ceremony for the new Scott M. Smith Engineering Building, according to a news release. The facility is one of the largest engineering buildings in the state at almost 200,000 square feet, and it plays home to the university’s Smith College of Engineering and Technology (SCET).

  • Armstrong World Industries Acquires Parallel Architectural Products

    Armstrong World Industries, provider of interior and exterior architectural applications, recently announced that it has acquired the Colorado-based Parallel Architectural Products, according to a news release.

  • Massachusetts K–12 District Selects Architect for New Junior High

    Swansea Public Schools in Swansea, Mass., recently announced that it has selected Finegold Alexander Architects to design a new junior high school for the district, according to a news release. The firm will create the Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for Joseph Case Junior High School after a lengthy selection process by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).