In Lakeland, Fla., located between Orlando and Tampa, Florida Polytechnic University unveiled its new Applied Research Center (ARC). Designed by HOK and built by Skanska, the 90,000-sf academic building houses research and teaching laboratories, student design spaces, conference rooms, and faculty offices—furthering the school’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) mission.
The university’s second academic building in Lakeland, the two-story ARC building sits adjacent to the Innovation, Science, and Technology (IST) Building, which was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, built by Skanska, and completed in 2014.
For its foundation, the project site features ground improvement rock columns with vibro compaction. The structure features mostly 5x5-foot spread footings, except beneath a large 42-foot cantilever, where 15x15-foot footings were required.
The structure also employs steel brace frames. Skanska, which received a $45 million construction contract, found that brace-framing the building, rather than form-pouring multiple stories of shear walls, helped the company deliver the project on budget and on schedule. To build the steel structure, Skanska used a 200-ton crawler crane and two assist cranes.
Throughout the building, chilled beams help reduce the need for large ductwork. With power and water supplied by the campus central utility plant, ARC’s roof is free of mechanical equipment.
The ARC project has attained LEED Silver certification. Its sustainable features include a highly reflective curtain wall and an insulated glazing system. The building’s central atrium connects to each bar of the building and serves as a meeting and collaboration space for students.
On the Building Team:
Owner: Florida Polytechnic University
Design architect: HOK
MEP engineer: AEI (Affiliated Engineers, Inc.)
Structural engineer: Walter P Moore
General contractor/construction manager: Skanska USA
![Florida Polytechnic ARC (c) Florida Polytechnic University.jpg](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Florida%20Polytechnic%20ARC%20%28c%29%20Florida%20Polytechnic%20University.jpg)
![Florida Polytechnic ARC 3 (c) Florida Polytechnic University](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Florida%20Polytechnic%20ARC%203%20%28c%29%20Florida%20Polytechnic%20University.jpg)
![Florida Polytechnic ARC 4 (c) Florida Polytechnic University](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Florida%20Polytechnic%20ARC%204%20%28c%29%20Florida%20Polytechnic%20University.jpg)
Related Stories
University Buildings | Jul 27, 2021
Murchie Science Building Expansion completes at the University of Michigan-Flint
HED designed the project.
Contractors | Jul 23, 2021
The aggressive growth of Salas O'Brien, with CEO Darin Anderson
Engineering firm Salas O'Brien has made multiple acquisitions over the past two years to achieve its Be Local Everywhere business model. In this exclusive interview for HorizonTV, BD+C's John Caulfield sits down with the firm's Chairman and CEO, Darin Anderson, to discuss its business model.
University Buildings | Jul 21, 2021
University of Washington Tacoma breaks ground on new STEM learning lab
ARO designed the project.
University Buildings | Jul 14, 2021
New 678-bed student housing development breaks ground near the University of South Carolina
CRG has partnered with Landmark Properties on the project.
University Buildings | Jul 12, 2021
UCLA building completes renovations for enhanced seismic, energy, and curriculum requirements
CO Architects designed the project.
University Buildings | Jul 8, 2021
$120 million renovation of Smith College’s Neilson Library completes
The original building was built in 1909.
University Buildings | Jul 1, 2021
Texas A&M University’s new Engineering Medicine program receives a new, unique space
EYP designed the project.
University Buildings | Jun 28, 2021
MiraCosta Community College to receive new Chemistry and Biotechnology Building
HED designed the building.
Resiliency | Jun 24, 2021
Oceanographer John Englander talks resiliency and buildings [new on HorizonTV]
New on HorizonTV, oceanographer John Englander discusses his latest book, which warns that, regardless of resilience efforts, sea levels will rise by meters in the coming decades. Adaptation, he says, is the key to future building design and construction.
University Buildings | Jun 21, 2021
Rediscovered Mies van der Rohe design under construction at Indiana University
The design was originally created in 1952.