Project name: WSU Vancouver Life Sciences Building

Location: Vancouver, Washington

Completion: April 2024

Size: 62,000 square feet including greenhouse and mechanical rooms

Cost: $57,055 000

Owner/Developer: Washington State University Vancouver

Architect: SRG + Cannon Design

Interior Designer: SRG + Cannon Design

Engineers: Catena Consulting Engineers, Affiliated Engineers, Samata Consulting Engineers

General Contractor: Andersen Construction

Submitting Company: Andersen Construction

Subcontractors: ABC, AIG, Andersen Finish Carpentry, Arctic, ASI, B&B Tile and Masonry, BMS, Cache Valley Electric, Cherry City Electric, Concrete Collaborative, Dallas Glass, Delta AV, Drake’s Striping & Painting, Floor Solutions, General Sheet Metal, Harver, JCI, JH Kelly, JS Perrott, MacDonald-Miller, McKinstry, Milwaukie Floors, MottLab, Otis, Portland Coatings, Prestige Tile, Prospiant/Argus, Sign Wizards, Stonhard, Superior Interiors, Teufel, Weitman Excavation, WPI

Washington State University Vancouver has opened its first new academic building in 11 years, a state-of-the-art life sciences facility that promises to transform research and education opportunities for students in STEM disciplines.

The 55,000-square-foot building, which earned LEED Gold certification, houses cutting-edge laboratories for neuroscience, molecular biology and nursing research, alongside specialized greenhouses and a vivarium space.

Funded primarily through a $57.1 million allocation from the Washington State Legislature, the $63.8 million project was completed with additional support from private donors and a $1 million contribution from the Cowlitz Tribal Foundation.

Andersen Construction collaborated with SRG as a design-build team, employing innovative building methods to reduce environmental impact. Among these was the use of mass plywood panels for exterior walls, which accelerated construction and lowered the building’s carbon footprint.

The prefabrication of the mass plywood walls helped create a safe worksite. Not only did this method reduce the number of on-site manhours for the installation, it allowed workers to install weather resistant barriers inside a protected facility and on the ground – reducing the need for trades to work in harnessing above ground. All exterior panels were installed in just two weeks, completing several days faster than anticipated.

The facility features fully automated greenhouses with ridge vents, sun shades, evaporative cooling systems and grow lamps for plant and butterfly research. A dedicated vivarium space maintains strict environmental controls to ensure research animal safety.

Energy efficiency was prioritized through a heat recovery chiller connected to campus heating and chilled water loops, helping the building meet Washington’s strict energy code requirements.

The project team achieved a 61 percent diversion rate of construction waste from landfills while incorporating low-carbon concrete to reduce embodied carbon emissions.

Site planning took advantage of the natural hillside grade, creating a more inviting entrance while preserving views from nearby buildings. This strategic design change saved nearly $1 million during preconstruction.

Indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, including lounges, study areas and plazas, provide collaborative environments for students and faculty.

The building’s design incorporated input from the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, resulting in the integration of native and indigenous plants across the landscape.

The project did not have MWESB requirements, but the team was committed to getting at least 20 percent participation. Andersen exceeded that goal, achieving 25 percent participation with 14 firms across design and trade partners.

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