In Lakeland, Fla., located between Orlando and Tampa, Florida Polytechnic University unveiled its new Applied Research Center (ARC). Designed by HOK and built by Skanska, the 90,000-sf academic building houses research and teaching laboratories, student design spaces, conference rooms, and faculty offices—furthering the school’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) mission.
The university’s second academic building in Lakeland, the two-story ARC building sits adjacent to the Innovation, Science, and Technology (IST) Building, which was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, built by Skanska, and completed in 2014.
For its foundation, the project site features ground improvement rock columns with vibro compaction. The structure features mostly 5x5-foot spread footings, except beneath a large 42-foot cantilever, where 15x15-foot footings were required.
The structure also employs steel brace frames. Skanska, which received a $45 million construction contract, found that brace-framing the building, rather than form-pouring multiple stories of shear walls, helped the company deliver the project on budget and on schedule. To build the steel structure, Skanska used a 200-ton crawler crane and two assist cranes.
Throughout the building, chilled beams help reduce the need for large ductwork. With power and water supplied by the campus central utility plant, ARC’s roof is free of mechanical equipment.
The ARC project's sustainable features include a highly reflective curtain wall and an insulated glazing system. The building’s central atrium connects to each bar of the building and serves as a meeting and collaboration space for students.
On the Building Team:
Owner: Florida Polytechnic University
Design architect: HOK
MEP engineer: AEI (Affiliated Engineers, Inc.)
Structural engineer: Walter P Moore
General contractor/construction manager: Skanska USA
Related Stories
University Buildings | Jan 6, 2020
Making it: Gen Z learns by doing
This fundamental shift in learning style will have an impact on higher-education space planning.
University Buildings | Dec 17, 2019
Two LMN Architects-designed academic science buildings move forward for completion next year
These facilities will bring several disciplines under one roof.
University Buildings | Dec 12, 2019
HOK will design the Florida Gators new football facility
The facility will be named after longtime donor to the University of Florida and the University Athletic Association James W. “Bill” Heavener.
Wood | Dec 6, 2019
The University of Arkansas is now home to America’s largest mass timber building
A design collaborative led by Leers Weinzapfel Associates, Modus Studio, Mackey Mitchell Architects, and OLIN designed the project.
University Buildings | Nov 1, 2019
Design unveiled for the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy building
LEO A DALY, in association with VJAA, designed the building.
University Buildings | Oct 28, 2019
Eight projects showcase the latest trends in student housing
Join us on a tour of select student residences at some of America’s top four-year colleges and universities.
University Buildings | Oct 10, 2019
Duke’s Hollows Quad residence halls provide housing for 700 upperclassmen
William Rawn Architects designed the project.
Libraries | Oct 2, 2019
Temple University’s Charles Library includes a ‘BookBot’ storage and retrieval system
The project was designed by Stantec and Snøhetta.
University Buildings | Sep 30, 2019
UMass Amherst’s Worcester Commons to be built on an existing parking lot
Shawmut, in partnership with Perry Dean Rogers and Connor Architecture, are designing the project.
University Buildings | Sep 23, 2019
Engineering Innovation Hub completes on SUNY New Paltz campus
Urbahn Architects designed the project.
