Construction has reached a key milestone on a new research and innovation facility at the University of New Hampshire, marking continued progress on a project designed to expand advanced research, manufacturing and industry collaboration in Durham.
Gilbane Building joined university officials for a beam-signing ceremony, a traditional construction milestone recognizing the placement of a major structural steel beam before installation.
The 70,500-square-foot facility will become home to the Center of Excellence for Operational Ocean and Great Lakes Mapping and the John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center. The building will also include approximately 35,000 square feet of high-bay space to accommodate research, testing and collaboration with industry partners.
The project is scheduled to open in fall 2027.
Gilbane Building is serving as the design-builder in partnership with Stantec. The project supports applied research, workforce training and technical assistance related to ocean mapping and advanced manufacturing.
The research center is planned as the first phase of the University of New Hampshire's Edge Innovation District, a long-term mixed-use development initiative that envisions research facilities alongside office, residential, educational and hospitality space.
Research and innovation facilities continue to drive demand for specialized higher education construction projects requiring flexible laboratory, manufacturing and collaboration spaces. For construction owners and developers, the University of New Hampshire project illustrates the growing use of design-build delivery to support complex academic developments while creating infrastructure that encourages partnerships between universities and private industry.
Source: Gilbane.
