UAB Science & Engineering Complex
The UAB Science & Engineering Complex is a 138,842 square-foot academic building under construction at UAB on the site of the former UAB Education Building on 14th Street South between University Boulevard and 10th Avenue South.
The project was designed by Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood with consulting from Lord Aeck Sargent of Atlanta, Georgia on the configuration of research spaces.
The L-shaped first phase, constructed for $78.5 million, housed the UAB Department of Biology and UAB Department of Physics, and also provides laboratories and support space for the UAB Department of Chemistry, along with a storm shelter. The School of Education relocated to space in the former UAB Business & Engineering Complex, which was renamed the UAB Education & Engineering Complex.
The second phase, Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall, completed the rectangle across 13th Street South and further enclosed the central courtyard. It was initially budgeted for $53.5 million, but later increased to $84 million. It was named in honor of Frances and Miller Gorrie. The extension provided 116,000 additional square feet of laboratories, laboratory support spaces, classrooms, offices and office support spaces for the Chemistry department and the UAB School of Engineering.
Although site work began in February 2021, a formal groundbreaking ceremony for the facility was held on September 9 of that year and the concrete structure was topped out in April 2022. Construction contracts for the second phase were approved in September 2022. Groundbreaking for that phase was held on July 31, 2023 with completion expected in 2025.
A ribbon cutting celebration for the official opening of the East and South Science Halls in the building took place on August 17, 2023.
References
- Thornton, William (February 10, 2020) "$78.5 million UAB basic sciences complex approved." The Birmingham News
- Taunton, Yvonne (August 25, 2021) "UAB celebrates groundbreaking of Science and Engineering Complex on Sept. 9" UAB News
- Patchen, Tyler (August 27, 2021) "UAB set to break ground on science and engineering complex Aug. 31." Birmingham Business Journal
- Thrailkill, Laurel (September 22, 2022) "UAB science and engineering complex budget increases by millions." Birmingham Business Journal
- Itson, Patience (March 7, 2023) "UAB’s Science + Engineering Complex to be completed by May 2023." Bham Now
- Thrailkill, Laurel (June 2, 2023) "In photos: Inside UAB's $76M Science and Engineering Complex project." Birmingham Business Journal
External links
- Science & Engineering Complex at uab.edu