Trustees name architects for biological research lab, Berks classroom building

University Park, Pa. -- Penn State's Board of Trustees on Nov. 2 announced architects for two campus construction projects, a classroom building at the Berks campus and a biological research laboratory at the University Park campus.

Based on an ongoing trend of rapid growth, including an additional 164 students this academic year, the Berks campus has identified a need for a new classroom building that will greatly increase available general classroom and departmental space.

A 60,000-square-foot classroom building will be situated between Thun Library and Franco Building and will help to frame the central green space of the Berks campus. It also will house the programs of business, engineering, information science and technology and hotel, restaurant and institutional management.

Based on a recommendation of the Subcommittee on Architect/Engineer Selection, which met on Nov. 1, the Board approved the appointment of RMJM Hillier of Philadelphia to design the building, which is expected to be completed in summer 2010.    

The biological research laboratory at University Park will be an 8,500-square-foot facility that will help address a critical need for research space with proper containment facilities and diagnostic analysis capabilities.

The proposed site for the laboratory is near the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory between Route 322, Park Avenue and Fox Hollow Road. The subcommittee recommended and the Board of Trustees approved Payette Associates of Boston to design the building.