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People can tour the newest science facility at the University of Oregon beginning at 3 to 4:30 p.m. Friday when the building officially opens its doors.

The $65 million Robert and Beverly Lewis Integrative Science Building, located at 1440 Franklin Blvd., was funded partially through private donations, but also received financing through federal and state grants and state bonds.

With $30 million in state bonds authorized by the 2007 Legislature, it represents the largest bond investment in an academic building in University of Oregon history. It’s also the university’s first major construction investment in sciences since 1990.

The 103,000-square-foot building connects the adjacent Lokey Laboratories, Huestis Hall, Streisinger Hall and Klamath Hall science buildings.

鈥淭he University of Oregon is one of the few places where this kind of mixing of different disciplines could happen,鈥� said chemistry professor Dave Johnson.

Architecturally, the building uses natural light through an open layout of labs and office spaces. Johnson said that feeds the idea that science should be transparent. A glass atrium with stadium seating provides a place for faculty and students to congregate. Glass walls and doors put scientific instruments on display. A three-story whiteboard invites input from students and teachers.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 really know everything that is going to happen here, but we can be sure it will lead to great discoveries,鈥� said psychology professor Phil Fisher.