Auburn University Breaks Ground on STEM + Agricultural Sciences Complex

Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., recently announced that construction on a new STEM and Agriculture Sciences Complex has begun, according to a news release. The new facility measures in at 285,000 square feet and will cost an estimated $184 million. The university is partnering with Hoar Construction, construction manager JE Dunn, and designers of record Goodywn Mills Cawood & Lord Aeck Sargent on the project, which has an estimated completion date of summer 2026.

The complex features three buildings connected via pedestrian bridges and a shared basement. Each building will include teaching labs with state-of-the-art technology, research labs, a teaching garden, and communal spaces, the news release reports. It will provide a centralized space for the university’s Departments of Biological Sciences; Geosciences; Mathematics and Statistics; Crop, Soils & Environmental Sciences; and more. Certain spaces will also be equipped to house aquatic animals and insects.

“We are honored to have been chosen to oversee construction of this state-of-the-art development, which is one of the highest dollar-value projects in Auburn’s history,” said Hoar Project Manager Joel Brown. “This complex is set to greatly enhance the learning experience and capabilities for Auburn’s students and will pave the way for our next generation of leaders within science, technology and agriculture. We look forward to working alongside our invaluable project partners to deliver this project on time and without any disruptions to student life.”

The news release reports that once construction is complete, the facility will aim to achieve LEED Silver Status.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • Geometric abstract school illustration

    How Design Shapes Learning and Success

    Can the color of a wall, the curve of a chair, or the hum of fluorescent lights really affect how a student learns? More schools are beginning to think so.

  • Photo credit - Chuck Coates

    Florida District Modernizes Central Energy Plants at Two High Schools

    Flagler Schools, a public school district in Flagler County, Fla., recently partnered with Matern Professional Engineering to modernize the central energy plants at two of its high schools, according to a news release. The project is part of a larger, district-wide effort to reduce energy costs and operational expenses.

  • Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, OR

    Preserving Legacy, Designing for the Future

    As historic academic buildings age, institutions face a difficult decision: preserve and adapt or demolish and rebuild. How do we honor the legacy of these spaces while adapting them to meet the needs of modern learners?

  • 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.