The University of Connecticut (UConn) broke ground on a $95 million engineering and science building designed to expand and strengthen its research A rendering of the new Engineering & Science Building seen from above. Source: UConn, Credit image: Mitchell/Giurgola Architectsprogram efforts. The five-story, 118,000-square-foot structure is expected to open in 2017. It will house laboratory space for genomics, biomedical, chemical engineering and cybersystem research programs.

A statement by the University indicates that a surge in student enrollment in the School of Engineering and growth in faculty members is driving the need for additional space. Over the past decade, undergraduate enrollment has quadrupled, graduate enrollment has doubled and faculty has increased by nearly 60%, UConn says.

The building will feature an open-floor design that encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and allows scientists to share knowledge and equipment. Three floors will be dedicated to engineering research, while two other floors will house UConn's Institute for Systems Genomics and Center for Genome Innovation.

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