Skanska Tops Out Timber AI Research Hub in NY

Skanska has topped out the new Artificial Intelligence and Quantitative Biology facility at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) in New York — marking a milestone for what will become a key center for cutting-edge NeuroAI research.

The three-storey structure, built with sustainable cross-laminated timber, will provide a collaborative space for pioneering research at the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence. When finished, the facility will offer 15 principal investigator offices, 96 postdoctoral workstations, seven research admin offices, three administrative offices, and ten meeting rooms.

Scheduled for completion in 2027, this is the first phase of CSHL’s ambitious 379,500-square-foot campus expansion. The wider plan will add specialized neuroscience and cancer biology labs plus a parking garage, while a $500 million second phase will deliver an additional 81,000-square-foot research housing and conference center, and a 56,000-square-foot living and collaboration hub for visiting scientists. The expansion is partially backed by $55 million from New York State Empire State Development.

Bruce Stillman, CSHL’s president, emphasized the institution’s vision: “We cannot predict the future, but we can prepare for it, and that is what Foundations for the Future does. The ongoing expansion will help ensure that CSHL remains at the global epicenter of biology research and education for generations.”

Sean Szatkowski, Skanska USA Building’s general manager, highlighted the legacy and forward-thinking purpose behind the build: “With roots dating back to the 1800s, CSHL continues to exemplify a longstanding commitment to progress, innovation and building for the future.”

The project’s use of mass timber showcases a growing trend toward sustainable, low-carbon construction, blending environmental responsibility with advanced scientific collaboration spaces. Once complete, the facility will position CSHL at the forefront of NeuroAI, a rapidly expanding discipline blending deep learning and brain science.

In addition to the timber structure, Skanska’s role includes integrating energy-efficient systems and flexible lab spaces designed to adapt to future scientific needs. The build underscores New York’s increasing investment in life sciences and innovation districts, ensuring the state remains competitive in attracting research talent and partnerships.

When it opens its doors, the new center will support hundreds of scientists working on groundbreaking discoveries — setting the stage for breakthroughs in neuroscience, AI, and biomedical innovation that could shape treatments, technologies, and scientific understanding for decades to come.

Originally reported by Joe Quirke in Global Construction Review.