University of Massachusetts Amherst begins construction on health sciences facility
The University of Massachusetts Amherst has begun construction on a $43 million School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) Hub.
The university says the 26,000-square-foot structure will serve as the heart of SPHHS, which now has its six departments housed in seven locations around campus.
UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes said the new facility will not only serve as a centralized location for SPHHS students, faculty and staff to come together as a community, but also as a space to engage with and connect members of the local community.
SPHHS Dean Anna Maria Siega-Riz says the new facility will have flexible, team-based learning classrooms, office space, time-shared cubicles, conferencing facilities and open areas designed for informal work and collaboration. The hub also will have an outdoor event space.
The university is aiming for the SPHHS hub to exceed LEED Silver certification. Construction is scheduled to be complete in December 2025.
The architect is Leers Weinzapfel Associates.
