Discovery Builders, a joint venture led by Turner Construction, has completed construction of a Cleveland higher education research building, architect HGA announced.
At Case Western Reserve University, the JV completed the Roger E. Susi Interdisciplinary Research Building, a 189,000-square-foot facility that contains research areas for students and faculty across multiple scientific disciplines, according to the Oct. 22 announcement. The total project cost was $300 million, according to Case Western.
Alongside New York City-based Turner, the Discovery Builders JV includes Cleveland-based builders Next Generation Construction and The AKA Team, along with Berea, Ohio-based Adrian Maldonado & Associates. The JV won the contract from Case Western in April 2024.
Case Western’s largest campus development project in decades, the building contains labs that can shift and adapt to advancing technologies and equipment, per HGA. Within the structure’s center is a four-story atrium that connects two laboratory bars and promotes cross-discipline discussion.
Additionally, HGA designed the building to meet LEED Gold certification standards, per the announcement. The structure includes energy-efficient labs, sustainable materials and a rainwater capture system.
One of the largest challenges the construction team faced was building the research facility on an active campus, Jack Kellogg, project executive at Turner, told Construction Dive via email.
“Through detailed planning, 3D modeling, and offsite fabrication of major components, we were able to reduce the amount of work required on site and better coordinate construction,” Kellogg said.
As the JV completes its work, other contractions also have higher education construction projects underway. Flintco broke ground on a $350 million health studies project on Oct. 12 for the University of Tennessee, and Western Kentucky University announced it broke ground on a $350 million student housing project on Oct. 20, as part of a partnership with Gilbane Development for a multiphase campus overhaul.
Indeed, Turner also foresees more opportunity in the higher ed market.
“Higher education will continue to be an important part of Turner’s work,” Kellogg said. “We see continued investment in research facilities, modernization of buildings, and spaces that support new technologies and evolving educational needs.”
