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
Multifamily Housing | Oct 22, 2020
The Weekly show: Universal design in multifamily housing, reimagining urban spaces, back to campus trends
BD+C editors speak with experts from KTGY Architecture + Planning, LS3P, and Omgivning on the October 22 episode of "The Weekly." The episode is available for viewing on demand.
Building Team Awards | Oct 21, 2020
Big Room equals big results
Tucson’s Banner University Medical Center is honored with a Gold Award in the 2020 Building Team Awards.
Building Team Awards | Oct 21, 2020
New York’s STEM epicenter and career gateway
The CUNY New York City College of Technology Academic Building wins a Gold Award in BD+C’s 2020 Building Team Awards.
University Buildings | Sep 16, 2020
A new interprofessional hub opens on U. Minnesota’s campus
The Health Sciences Education Center includes two floors for simulation and immersive training.
University Buildings | Sep 10, 2020
Des Moines University begins construction on new 88-acre campus
RDG Planning & Design is the design firm.
Airports | Sep 10, 2020
The Weekly show: Curtis Fentress, FAIA, on airport design, and how P3s are keeping university projects alive
The September 10 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand.
University Buildings | Sep 8, 2020
William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center opens at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs
HOK and RTA designed the project.
University Buildings | Sep 2, 2020
University of North Carolina Charlotte Academic Complex completes
Woolpert provided design and engineering upgrades for the project.
University Buildings | Aug 31, 2020
Spain’s Loyola University earns world’s first LEED Platinum verification for an ‘integrated campus’
luis vidal + architects designed the project.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
