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CSU Starts Construction on New Engineering Building

  • By Matt Jones
  • 09/10/26

Key Takeaways

  • Colorado State University has begun site work for the 125,000-square-foot Don and Susie Law Engineering Future Technologies Building, scheduled for completion in fall 2028.
  • Designed by DLR Group and built by Adolfson & Peterson Construction, the facility will serve as an interdisciplinary hub for engineering, emerging technologies, and computer science.
  • Specialized spaces will include rapid prototype labs, a fabrication machine shop, computer labs, augmented and virtual reality suites, and a robotics arena.

Colorado State University in Denver, Colo., recently began clearing space for the construction of the new Don and Susie Law Engineering Future Technologies Building, according to a news release. The university partnered with Adolfson & Peterson Construction for construction services and DLR Group for the design of the 125,000-square-foot facility. Demolition of the existing Glover Engineering Building started in May.

The project’s ultimate purpose is to serve as an “innovation hub” and a space for interdisciplinary collaboration among engineering, emerging technologies, and computer science majors. Specialized spaces will include an entry commons; rapid prototype labs; a fabrication machine shop; computer labs; and The Sandbox, “a dynamic zone encompassing augmented and virtual reality suites and a robotics arena.”

“The Don and Susie Law Engineering Future Technologies Building actively supports cross‑disciplinary collaboration and discovery,” said DLR Group’s Benjami Strain, AIA, LEED AP, Principal and Higher Education Design Leader. “By making hands-on learning, research, and student support highly visible and interconnected, the design re-envisions how engineers learn today while positioning Colorado State University at the forefront of future technologies.”

The building’s design intentionally encourages interaction, collaboration, and casual conversations among its different departments. Amenities include student support services, open stairwells to “encourage chance encounters,” and active edges of the interior, as well as quiet spaces and focus labs for heads-down academic work.

Foundation work started during the summer, and the building has an estimated completion date of fall 2028, according to the news release.

“By leveraging the power of Design-Build project delivery, AP and DLR Group have broken down traditional silos to foster collaboration, innovation, problem solving, and shared success,” said Katie Hegarty, Senior Project Manager at Adolfson & Peterson Construction. “Together, we’re delivering a state-of-the-art facility and a positive project experience that will serve CSU students, faculty, and researchers for generations.”

About the Author

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

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