Sundt has been awarded a contract to build a new interdisciplinary research center for the College of Engineering at the University of Arizona (UA). The state-of-the-art Engineering Innovation Building will be Sundt’s 58th university construction project completed for the UA. Construction will begin in the early spring of 2014. When complete, the building will provide a foundation for the College of Engineering’s expanding research programs, with emphasis in the School of Sustainable Engineered Systems and Biomedical Engineering
The project will be designed by SmithGroupJJR to house high-tech research laboratories focused on the following key areas: advanced manufacturing; energy storage; bioengineering; materials processing; metals recovery and recycling; and computer modeling and simulation. It will also include the Dean’s executive office, a student center for engineering clubs and senior design projects, and space for research collaboration with biosciences and UA’s business college and industry partners.
“Laboratory construction projects continue to be an area Sundt thrives in, especially knowing the importance of the work that will be performed within these new buildings,” said Sundt Laboratory Group Leader Ryan Abbott. “We are impressed with the University of Arizona’s College of Engineering’s missions for this building, which include having a role in creating affordable sustainability solutions, advancing new interdisciplinary research initiatives to meet the nation’s future competitive and market-based needs and other significant societal contributions.”
Sundt serves as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), while SmithGroupJJR will provide all architectural, engineering, interior design and site design for the project. Currently, Sundt is working on renovating the Old Main building on the UA’s campus.