Design firm Brooks + Scarpa recently broke ground on a new addition to the University of Florida’s School of Design, Construction, and Planning (DCP). The $32 million Bruno E. and Maritza F. Ramos Collaboratory Building will add almost 50,000 square feet to the existing DCP building, which also will be renovated.
“This innovative facility is critical to the future of DCP and will strengthen collaborative working across all the built environment disciplines in the College,” Chimay Anumba, DCP dean, said in a statement.
The design aims to encourage the free exchange of ideas among faculty and students as they “undertake high-impact research that shapes the world we live in by addressing critical societal challenges,” according to the statement. Based in Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Brooks + Scarpa received the 2022 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Gold Medal.
The new Collaboratory building will include reconfigurable, multifunctional spaces and research hubs to promote collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. A digital modeling and fabrication space will allow large groups of students to work together on digital models, simulations, and 3D printing in purpose-designed facilities.
The building also will include large-scale facilities for geospatial modeling and simulation, as well as a virtual reality lab. In addition to seminar rooms, a multipurpose hall will accommodate lecture audiences of 150 to 200.
Skylights will provide daylight to the ground level throughout the building, and photovoltaics will provide energy for the building services.
The building is expected to be completed in early 2025.
On the Building Team:
Owner: University of Florida
Design architect: Brooks + Scarpa
Associate architect: KMF
MEP/structural engineers: TLC
Landscaping: Brooks + Scarpa with CHG
General contractor: Stellar
Related Stories
University Buildings | Jan 19, 2022
Eastern Michigan University launches major student housing project
The institution is working with Gilbane Development Company to build or renovate more than 2,700 on-campus beds.
University Buildings | Jan 11, 2022
Designing for health sciences education: supporting student well-being
While student and faculty health and well-being should be a top priority in all spaces within educational facilities, this article will highlight some key considerations.
University Buildings | Jan 6, 2022
New Facility completes at Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health
SLAM designed the project.
University Buildings | Jan 4, 2022
Henning Larsen to design new university building in the Alps
The project will be Henning Larsen’s first in Austria.
University Buildings | Dec 8, 2021
The University of Michigan’s Ford Robotics Building completes
HED designed the project.
University Buildings | Nov 23, 2021
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s new residence hall begins construction
KWK Architects designed the project.
University Buildings | Nov 18, 2021
Pratt Institute Residence Hall completes, opens
Hanrahan Meyers Architects, in collaboration with Cannon Design, designed the project.
Designers / Specifiers / Landscape Architects | Nov 16, 2021
‘Desire paths’ and college campus design
If a campus is not as efficient as it could be, end users will use their feet to let designers know about it.
University Buildings | Nov 15, 2021
Red River College Polytechnic’s new Manitou a bi Bit daziigae opens
Diamond Schmitt and Number TEN Architectural Group designed the project.
Cladding and Facade Systems | Oct 26, 2021
14 projects recognized by DOE for high-performance building envelope design
The inaugural class of DOE’s Better Buildings Building Envelope Campaign includes a medical office building that uses hybrid vacuum-insulated glass and a net-zero concrete-and-timber community center.
