Auburn University breaks ground on STEM and Agricultural Sciences Complex
December 21, 2023 · Announcements, Projects
Construction has begun on Auburn University’s STEM and Agriculture Sciences Complex, designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) and Lord Aeck Sargent.
The complex was designed with students in mind, especially since Auburn just welcomed its largest freshman class in 2023, with nearly 6,000 additional students. The new complex will be used to combine multiple departments from the College of Sciences and Mathematics plus the College of Agriculture, including biological sciences; geosciences; mathematics and statistics; crop, soils and environmental sciences; horticulture; and entomology and plant pathology. This mixture will help optimize space on campus as the university continues to grow.
The complex will include three, three-story buildings totaling approximately 265,000 square feet. The facilities will encompass state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories, classrooms, a teaching garden and collaborative spaces for both students and faculty.
The design prioritizes right-sizing and resource sharing to make the space as efficient and collaborative as possible. The three buildings will be connected by pedestrian bridges and a shared basement, enhancing student safety and improving connectivity among the spaces. Additionally, the labs and basement space have been curated to hold aquatic animals as well as insects that are often used by both colleges for study and care.
The STEM + Ag Complex is expected to be completed by summer 2026. Located on PO Davis Drive, adjacent to Boyd Residence Hall and the Department of Poultry Sciences building, the complex sits on the former site of Auburn’s Hill Residence Halls.
GMC is providing architecture, interior design, geotechnical engineering and landscape architecture services. Additional project partners include Hoar Construction, general contractor; JE Dunn, construction manager; Newcomb & Boyd, mechanical, plumbing and electrical engineer; Tucker-Jones Engineers Associated, structural engineer; and LBYD, civil engineer.