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

  • 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?

  • El Paso District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, recently announced that construction has begun on a 119,000-square-foot elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects, Carl Daniel Architects, and LDCM Solutions on the new Davenport Elementary School, which has an expected completion date of 2027.

  • Spaces4Learning Launches 2026 Education Design Showcase Awards

    Spaces4Learning has opened submissions for the 2026 Education Design Showcase! The awards program launched in 1999 with the goal of celebrating innovative, practical solutions in the planning, design, and construction of K–12 and higher-education facilities. EDS recognizes new developments that help achieve optimal learning environments, as well as the architecture firms that brought the ideas to life.

  • Round Rock ISD Completes New Early College High School

    Round Rock ISD near Austin, Texas, recently announced that construction is complete on a new, 46,500-square-foot campus for Early College High School, according to a news release. The new facility will allow the school’s students and staff to move from portables into a permanent building and increase its enrollment to 500.