The 117,000ft2 Experimental Sciences Building II (ESB II) will include an animal vivarium, four general wet labs, three instrumentation labs and two synthetic labs, in addition to offices, collaborative spaces and three conference rooms.
Its construction was funded by US$70m from the Texas Legislature’s authorisation of a tuition revenue bond and $7m in revenue finance system funds to be repaid by Higher Education Assistance Funds.
The purpose of ESB II is to increase Texas Tech’s research capacity by:
- Developing and expanding research areas that align with the university’s existing strengths and address areas of national importance
- Increasing the number of faculty with common interests within each research area who can collaborate on large-scale projects
- Expanding research infrastructure to support thematic research areas.
"The Texas Tech University System is committed to world-class research that impacts lives," said Chancellor Robert L. Duncan. "The new Experimental Sciences Building will increase our capacity to do this important work in a first-class facility."
ESB II will contain collaborative research laboratories and expanded state-of-the-art small-animal research facilities, said Mark Sheridan, Vice Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School who chaired the committee that solicited input on the design and use of the building.
"The design of the common spaces, labs and support spaces better fosters collaboration between and among graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and faculty," Sheridan said. "The improved animal research facilities enable research opportunities we didn’t have previously; ESB II will have biosafety level 2, which is required for many types of biomedical research."
In keeping with Texas Tech’s focus on sustainability, the facility will be constructed according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings."
The building will be constructed by TreanorHL architects, with exterior façade and interior finish design by AyersSaintGross. The project’s landscape architect is Prairie Workshop.
