BLACKSBURG, VA — Global construction and development firm Skanska has been contracted to build Virginia Tech’s new Undergraduate Science Laboratory Building. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, the new $69.5-million, approximately 102,000-gross-square-foot building will provide a teaching laboratory and general use classroom space to support Virginia Tech’s growing enrollment and Beyond Boundaries vision.

“Virginia Tech’s new science building will enhance the educational experience of the students, faculty, and staff at the school and accommodate the mounting demand for STEM-H degrees,” said Greg Peele, Executive Vice President responsible for Skanska’s North Carolina and Virginia building operations. “This building support’s the university’s strategic goal to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing landscape of higher education.”

The four-story Undergraduate Science Laboratory Building will house nearly 30 wet, dry, and specialty laboratories designed to be flexible and adaptable to current and future instructional needs for the College of Science, College of Engineering, College of Natural Resources and Environment, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Graduate teaching assistant workspaces, classrooms, collaboration spots, offices, informal study areas, and 24/7 student space will also be incorporated.

“The construction of the Undergraduate Science Laboratory Building is an exciting new phase in the realization of Virginia Tech’s vision for the north academic district, as highlighted in our university master plan,” said Dwyn Taylor, Assistant Vice President for Capital Construction. “The Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities looks forward to collaborating with Skanska to bring this project to life.”

The project will begin in April 2022 and be completed by April 2024.