The University of Louisville has broken ground on a $280 million building that will serve as a cornerstone for education, engagement and research at the university's Health Sciences Center.
The university says the six-story, 257,000-square-foot Health Sciences Building represents the largest single-project funding package in its history. The State of Kentucky has allocated $260 million toward the project, and the university is providing the remaining $20 million.
“This new health sciences facility will accelerate discovery, strengthen our workforce and expand access to high-quality care," says University President Gerry Bradley.
The facility will be a connecting point for the the schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing and Public Health and Information Sciences. The building will have extensive medical simulation facilities, along with dedicated spaces for learning, research and work.
The School of Public Health and Information Sciences will be completely housed within the building, and other spaces will be customized for the schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Nursing.
The structure emphasizes collaboration, engagement and wellbeing for those who use each space, with formal and informal working and gathering spaces, natural light and easy access to landscaped outdoor spaces. Casual dining and seating options encourage personal interaction. Abundant windows are enhanced with a unique scrim to prevent glare and heat gain while taking advantage of sunlight. The space provides multiple opportunities to interact with nature--plantings along the perimeter, terraced outdoor space and a microforest of natural landscaping on the building’s south side.
Construction is scheduled for completion in 2029.
The architects are Champlin | EOP and Perkins&Will, and the the general contractor is Messer Construction.
