The University of Alabama at Birmingham opened the South and East Science halls Thursday. These facilities are the first phase of the Science and Engineering Complex.
“Here students, faculty and staff — from the departments of biology, physics and chemistry and others campuswide — will collaborate more effectively than ever and accelerate innovation, economic development and the training of a 21st century workforce for the state of Alabama,” said UAB President Ray Watts.
The facility provides more than 138,000 square feet of classrooms, instructional space and laboratories. Located across the street from the Hill Student Center, Heritage Hall and University Hall, the Science and Engineering Complex is also expected to help UAB attract renowned researchers and faculty members from around the world.
The new building will have equipment to facilitate cutting-edge research into areas like advanced materials, advanced computation and advanced photonics. The open layout of the facility ensures the labs, office and research areas are interconnected for easier collaboration.
With the new facility, the Department of Biology’s Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (or CURE) will now be open to any student taking a biology class — not just biology honors students.
Goodwyn Mills Cawood served as the architect on the project, while Lord Aeck Sargent served as the lab and research space consultants. Hoar Construction was the contractor on the project.
