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Auburn University Debuts $224M STEM + Agricultural Sciences Complex

  • By Matt Jones
  • 08/27/26

Key Takeaways

  • Auburn University opened its new $224-million, 265,000-square-foot STEM + Agricultural Sciences Complex, the largest research construction project in university history.
  • The three-building complex brings together six departments from Auburn’s College of Agriculture and College of Sciences and Mathematics, with nearly 70% of the facility dedicated to teaching and research laboratories.
  • Flexible laboratory infrastructure, collaboration areas, natural light, specialized research environments, and outdoor gathering spaces were designed to support interdisciplinary education and evolving research needs.

Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., recently opened its new $224-million STEM + Agricultural Sciences Complex, the largest research construction project in the university’s history, according to university news. The facility measures more than 265,000 gross square feet and brings six departments from the College of Agriculture and College of Sciences and Mathematics together under one roof.

The complex consists of three connected, three-story buildings. Although they appear separate from the exterior, underground walkways and a sky bridge allow occupants to move between them without going outside. Nearly 70% of the facility is dedicated to teaching and research laboratories, while the remaining space includes offices, collaboration areas and building support functions.

“It’s about creating the right environment for students, faculty and researchers where they can teach, learn, collaborate and do their best work,” said Simon Yendle, Auburn University Facilities Management associate vice president of planning, design and construction and university architect.

The complex houses the Mathematics and Statistics, Geosciences, and Biological Sciences departments from the College of Sciences and Mathematics, as well as the Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences; Entomology and Plant Pathology; and Horticulture departments from the College of Agriculture. Goodwyn Mills Cawood served as architect, while Hoar Construction served as contractor, according to the university’s Capital Program Report from April.

The facility was also designed to accommodate changing research needs over time. Some teaching laboratories feature movable furniture and utility systems intended to simplify future renovations, while specialized research spaces support requirements including temperature and humidity controls and dedicated equipment.

Other design features include natural light throughout above-ground teaching and laboratory areas, shared graduate student workspaces, displays highlighting research and scientific collections, windows offering views into active laboratories, and outdoor garden and gathering areas. About 350 faculty members, staff and researchers moved into the complex during summer 2026.

About the Author

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

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