PHOENIX, Ariz. — Arizona State University is preparing to take a significant leap into medical education with a newly announced School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering, a multistory headquarters for ASU Health that will expand both the region’s educational offerings and its bioscience footprint. The 200,000-square-foot facility will anchor new clinical programs, multidisciplinary research, and the university’s first medical doctorate (MD) program in Phoenix.
The new building—designed by CO Architects, working collaboratively with DFDG Architecture and constructed by McCarthy Building Companies—will rise in the heart of the Phoenix Bioscience Core, where it will join the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix and several biotech research companies. The project positions the area as one of the fastest-growing medical education hubs in the Southwest.
ASU President Michael Crow described the facility as a transformational step for the university and the state.
“This endeavor is more than a building, and this is much more than a medical school,” Crow said. “This will be the headquarters of ASU Health, a new hub of innovation, teaching and learning to enhance health outcomes for the people of Arizona.”
The project continues a trend of expansion at the Bioscience Core, where CO Architects has played a foundational role. Managing Principal Jenna Knudsen, FAIA, emphasized the firm’s deep experience in the district.
“We’re leveraging our vast experience in Arizona, and in Phoenix specifically, for the new ASU Health facility,” she said.
The building’s design will integrate advanced clinical spaces with engineering-focused labs, creating opportunities for students to blend technology, research, and patient care. Features include:
In addition to the MD program, the building will house selected programs from existing Health Solutions and Nursing schools, while also providing space for ASU’s clinical affiliate, HonorHealth. Two new academic programs will debut in the building, reflecting the university’s push toward interdisciplinary, tech-driven education in health.
The School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering will focus on training physicians who can leverage engineering, technology, and humanistic disciplines to improve patient care. Meanwhile, the School of Technology for Public Health will specialize in digital health technologies and data-driven public health strategies.
DFDG President Darrin Orndorff, AIA, noted that this effort continues a wave of health sciences expansion in Phoenix.
“That momentum will carry over to this project, the latest addition to greater Phoenix’s health-sciences construction boom,” he said.
The building will also provide technology-enabled, public-facing learning environments, giving residents access to educational resources on health topics like immunizations. This reinforces ASU’s stated commitment to community health outreach and biomedical workforce development.
Carlos Diaz, Vice President of Operations at McCarthy Building Companies, highlighted the project’s forward-thinking approach.
“ASU’s forward-thinking approach to preparing future medical and health service professionals and advancing community health education is plainly demonstrated by this progressive project,” he said.
“We are eager to bring together our national expertise in simulation lab construction and our local team’s demonstrated competence on complex worksites to collaborate with these exceptional design partners and support ASU’s vision.”
Site work is scheduled to begin this fall, with full construction commencing in early 2026. ASU Health plans to accept student applications beginning later this year, and the new building is slated to open for classes in fall 2028.
The project team includes: Meyer Borgman Johnson (structural), Spectrum Engineers (MEP), Dibble Engineers (civil), TrueForm Landscape Architecture Studio, Bowman Fire & Life Safety, WSP USA Buildings (sustainability), and NV5 (AV/IT/security).
Originally reported by Lindsey Coulter in School Construction News.
