PALMETTO, Fla.—International construction and development first Skanska has completed its expansion work at Buffalo Creek Middle School, which was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by staff, students and members of the Manatee County School Board.

The construction and renovation work entailed a new two-story media and instruction building comprising TV production studios, eight classrooms and a media center. Skanska was also charged with converting the former media center into new classroom spaces for instruction in such fields as robotics, business and engineering.

Skanska worked in collaboration with Zyscovich Architects on the $12 million workload needed at Buffalo Creek Middle School. Some of the funding came from a half-cent sales tax approved by Manatee County voters in 2016 to address multiple improvements, including to the district’s educational infrastructure.

“The impact of this new building will benefit students at Buffalo Creek Middle School for the next generation and beyond,” Principal Bradley Scarbrough said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We are in an area experiencing exceptional growth, and these expanded facilities will help us meet the needs of today’s students, as well as tomorrow’s.”

“The modern design and construction of the new media center is the result of a true partnership between our team, the school district of Manatee County and the architect,” Daniel Abou-Jaoude, vice president of Skanska USA Building, said at the ceremony. “This expansion of the campus will provide students and staff with an innovative space that fosters hands-on learning and encourages creativity and exploration for years to come.”

In a subsequent statement to School Construction News, Keith Hendry, senior project manager at Skanska USA, said that the true measure of the benefit of an educational project such as Buffalo Creek is how it ultimately works for the end user.

“Our team, together with the project architect, worked closely with the faculty and staff at Buffalo Creek Middle School and the School District of Manatee County to truly understand the needs of the students and teachers, taking the time to do a ‘page flip’ with all stakeholders to ensure the end product was something that everyone could use,” Hendry said. “To best understand how to implement the new technology across the campus additions, Skanska finalized the construction of one classroom and invited all stakeholders to test out the room.

“This way, our team identified potential kinks and adapted the layout as necessary before implementing it across all classrooms. This allowed us to ensure the project remained within the outlined budget and timeline and deliver a product with high usability.”

“We are excited and happy for the students, staff and families at Buffalo Creek Middle,” said Superintendent Jason Wysong. “First-class facilities and tremendous teachers are a powerful combination, and we’re glad to bring the two together to benefit Buffalo Creek.”

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SAN MARCOS, Texas—Swedish-based construction and development firm Skanska has been hired by the Texas State University System to build a new science, technology, engineering and math building for the San Marcos campus, located about midway between San Antonio and Austin.

The $100 million project will entail an eight-story, 155,900-square-foot facility that will be home to the college’s departments of computer science and math. The building will house traditional classrooms as well as research labs and offices.

The construction work requires significant site improvement as well as renovations to ensure the new building will be able to function properly when it is completed.

Skanska is due to commence construction this summer, with a projected completion date of May 2026. PGAL is the architectural firm for the undertaking.

Skanska has existed for over a century and reported 2022 revenue of SEK 162 billion. Some of the company’s other recent educational construction includes a net-zero elementary school in the Washington, D.C., region. The firm oversees construction projects in North America and Europe.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va.—International development and construction firm Skanska has finished up its work on the new Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, the first net zero-ready school for the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) system, located just across the Potomac River from the nation’s capital.

The 150,000-square-foot school is located on the same site as a previously existing 65,000-square-foot school. The new Douglas MacArthur Elementary School will be home to students ranging from pre-K to 5th grade.

Inside, Douglas MacArthur Elementary School hosts art and music rooms as well as modern classrooms. The exterior features newly laid turf fields, basketball courts, playgrounds as well as a student drop-off area. Furthermore, locating the school’s parking underground increases the amount of recreational area on the outside—a premium in the DMV—while simultaneously fashioning even more green space to surround the new building.

The net-zero energy model means that the power generated for the school itself will be matched by the energy actually used by the facility. These types of schools have been shown to consume significantly less energy as opposed to those that rely on a more traditional power-needs structure.

Among the net-zero design features being utilized at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School are a geothermal system beneath the artificial athletic field turn, which uses the earth’s natural ability to cool or heat a building. Additionally, the school’s bathrooms will utilize low-flush toilets and low-output sinks. The HVAC system takes advantage of natural sunlight and ventilation to assist with airflow and temperature regulation as well.

Skanska worked at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School in association with architect of record DLR Group to realize the educational project.

“Skanska is a leader in sustainable construction, and it is our privilege to partner with ACPS to deliver this modern and energy efficient building to the Alexandria community,” Dale Kopnitsky, general manager and executive vice president responsible for Skanska’s Washington, D.C., building operations, said of the project. “The impact of this project will not only provide operational cost savings to the school district but create a healthier space for students to learn and thrive.”

Skanska’s other educational construction projects in the greater Washington, D.C., area include George Mason University’s Life Sciences and Engineering Building in Prince William County. The company has also built VHC Health’s Outpatient Pavilion in Arlington; 17xM, an 11-story, 334,000-square-foot office building in Washington; OZMA, a 12-story, mixed-use development with 275 luxury apartments in Washington; 3901 Fairfax, a 190,000-square-foot nine-story office building in Arlington; and Heming, a 28-story, 410-unit luxury apartment building in Tysons.

Skanska continues to innovate in terms of sustainable construction and development. The firm was founded more than 135 years ago, and operates in Scandinavia, greater Europe and the United States. Their U.S. operations are headquartered in New York, and the firm hosts 29 total offices around the country.

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FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C.—Internationally known general contractor Skanska, which is based in Sweden, has been tapped by North Carolina’s Wake County Public School System for a design-build project of the district’s new $78 million middle school.

The multi-phase project entails construction of a nearly 800,000-square-foot middle school as well as two gymnasiums and an outdoor athletic facility.

On the inside of the school, the contractor will be constructing a theater, media center, cafeteria as well as classrooms specifically purpose-built for instruction in fine arts and various science disciplines.

Work on the middle school is currently underway and is projected to be completed sometime in 2024.

Skanska works in the United States from multiple offices and across all regions of the country. Their U.S. operations are based out of New York. Some of their recent school-related renovation and construction works include the Cooper City High School for Broward County Public Schools in Florida as well as Lafayette Elementary School in Washington, D.C.

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BULVERDE, Tex.—International builder Skanska—which is based in Stockholm, Sweden, but operates several offices in the United States—has been hired by the Comal Independent School District to construct a $57 million new school in the far northern suburbs of San Antonio.

The contract with Comal Independent School entails an entirely from-scratch middle school.  The facility will offer a sports field, water retention and storage tank, as well as various support structures across the project site’s 40 acres of property.

The heart of the project will be the 170,000-square-foot Comal Middle School #8.  When completed, likely in the fall of 2023, Middle School #8 will be able to host over 1,000 students.  This expansion work is necessary to relieve overcrowding at other schools throughout the district.

Pfluger Architects is also on board as the architect and engineer for Comal Middle School #8.

Personnel from Skanska’s San Antonio office are now hard at work on the construction project.  The firm also works from other Lone Star State offices in Houston and Dallas.

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CULLOWHEE, N.C.—International builder Skanska, based in Sweden, has finished up work on a new science education building at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.

The 183,000-square-foot Tom Apodaca Science Building will offer educational training opportunities across Western Carolina’s technology, math, engineering and various other STEM disciplines. The Apodaca building replaces the former Natural Sciences Building, which existed on the same site for years.

The five-level Apodaca building will be home to Western Carolina’s departments of biology, chemistry and physics, as well as the school’s interdisciplinary program in forensic science. The facility also hosts a global information system laboratory, forensic anthropology lab, computational lab as well as various support offices and labs. The building also entails a rooftop greenhouse and terrace, allowing for additional training and experimental space effectively as a sixth floor. Apodada also hosts a steam micro-plant that replaced an older steam plant the university had been using.

The building was named for onetime North Carolina state senator Thomas M. Apodaca, known for his service to the western part of the Tarheel State as well as his support for Western Carolina University. Sen. Apodaca’s advocacy entailed pushing for the Connect NC bond referendum, which allocated funds for Western Carolina as well as other educational projects in the region. He graduated from Western Carolina in 1980 and currently serves on the school’s board of trustees.

The existing laboratories at the old Natural Sciences Building remained open throughout construction before being relocated to the Apodaca facility. The former Natural Sciences Building was then demolished and the space redesigned as an outdoor courtyard.

Skanska worked in conjunction with architect Lord Aeck Sargent of Chapel Hill and AEI Engineering, also of Chapel Hill, and who served as the project engineer.

“It was a privilege to work with Western Carolina University on this new STEM building offering superior learning opportunities for the students and staff at the university,” Greg Peele, executive vice president responsible for Skanska’s North Carolina and Virginia building operations, said in a recent statement. “The building’s technological advancements and innovative features will help prepare students for future careers in health care, high-tech manufacturing, natural product development and more.”

Added David Kinner, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Carolina:

“This Apodaca Science Building serves many of our WCU students, as those from across campus will come here to study diverse topics—from the magnificence of our universe to the complexity of a human body. Hopefully, students also begin to understand the scientific process, the steady and continued work of asking and answering questions, and comprehend the ability of science to provide important information and breakthroughs for society.”

Skanska’s U.S. operations are based out of New York. The firm generated $6.4 billion in revenue in 2021 alone.

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TAMPA, Fla.—International construction and development firm Skanska, based in Sweden, has partnered with acclaimed architecture firm Gensler on the expansion of the University of South Florida’s Research Park, a mixed-use laboratory and office building facility.

The $27 million, three-story development encompasses 120,000 square feet of office and laboratory space in USF’s life sciences building. The interior now offers collaborative learning and experimentation areas, office space, as well as a ground-level dining commons and rooftop deck three floors above.

The Research Park at USF is meant to fashion an environment wherein innovation in an academic setting will go hand in hand with economic growth in the greater Tampa Bay area. As designed by Gensler, the Research Park will act as a welcoming space where scientists and project designers can collaborate at a state-of-the-art facility designed to stoke experimentation and discovery.

Thanks to this renovation, the Research Park’s capacity has increased by approximately 30 percent. Among other disciplines, the Research Park will focus on both tech and life sciences throughout the South Florida region.

“Given our trajectory working with the University of South Florida, our team is proud to deliver another state-of-the-art facility that will allow the university to continue to make meaningful investments in advancing life sciences and biotechnology,” Michael C. Brown, executive vice president and general manager of Skanska USA’s building operations in Florida, said of the expansion. “The completion of USF’s mixed-use lab and office project comes at a perfect time as Tampa continues to see significant business and population growth. The Research Park is an important driver to stimulate long-term innovation and economic growth in the region.”

In a subsequent statement to School Construction News, Brown added that the demand for space for life sciences experimentation and study is at an all-time high across the academic sector.

“Building on an active campus site comes with its own set of challenges which requires lots of communication amongst key partners,” Brown said of the difficulties of completing the project in a timely manner.  “Not to mention the current supply chain shortages, so it was crucial to deliver this project on time given current market needs, and with the University’s schedule. Additionally, to remain competitive as technology evolves, the project was also built with flexibility and sustainability in mind.”

In addition to the Research Park, Skanska’s previous work at USF entails the Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in downtown Tampa, completed in early 2020.  The company continues to work in the education sector throughout the Sunshine State, including the University of Miami’s Frost Institute of Chemistry and Molecular Science.  The firm has been in business for nearly 140 years and is one of the world’s largest development and construction companies.

Their U.S. headquarters are in New York, with 30 offices across America.  The firm employs over 7,300 people, and saw 2021 revenue of $6.4 billion.

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RADFORD, Va.—Swedish design-build firm Skanska and architect Hord Coplan Macht, based in Baltimore, indeed have reason to celebrate at Radford University, located in the southwestern portion of the Old Dominion.

The two firms joined with personnel from Radford for a topping-out ceremony, held this summer, for the Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity Project, or CAIC, an interdisciplinary educational facility that is the largest capital construction project at Radford ever in terms of both cost and space. The 178,000-square-foot structure is replacing the current College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The CAIC will be home to courses in technology, health sciences and the arts across a cross-curricular environment. In addition to traditional classrooms, the CAIC will host fashion and design labs, arts studios, a photography studio and darkroom, dance studios, offices, administrative spaces as well as collaborative areas. Furthermore, the CAIC will be the home of a new 500-seat performing arts space for all manner of events.

According to the design specifications from architect Hord Coplan Macht, the CAIC will be anchored by a central performance hub and cafeteria space that is meant to foster gatherings.  Multiple classrooms with large windows located along this central axis will allow visitors to observe learning happening in real time.

Materials used throughout the CAIC as part of the designer’s modern motif include operable partitions and interior glazing. Barn doors stand in as a literal representation of removing the “barriers” that might exist between various learning disciplines. Hord Coplan Macht, the architect, claims that the CAIC will be a center not only of innovative learning but also a hub for the entire campus.

“Radford University is excited about the transformational educational opportunities this new facility will provide our students with an innovative approach to visual and performing arts and health education through interdisciplinary research,” Stephanie Jennelle, interim vice president for finance and administration at Radford University, said during the groundbreaking ceremony.

Added Greg Peele, executive vice president responsible for Skanska’s North Carolina and Virginia building operations: “The new Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity will offer modern classrooms and other spaces to welcome and inspire students, faculty, and staff at Radford University for generations to come.”

At the topping-out event, representatives of all three entities signed the ceremonial top steel beam. Under the project’s current timeline, the CAIC will be finished by the end of 2023.

Skanska, which has been in business for over 135 years, has grown into one of the largest construction and development firms in the world, with satellite offices in Scandinavia, Europe and the United States.

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BLACKSBURG, Va.—Construction management firm Skanska, which is based in Sweden but has offices in the United States, has been tapped by Virginia Tech to build the school’s Undergraduate Science Laboratory Building.

The $70 million project—designed by ZGF—will entail over 100,000 square feet of laboratory and classroom space.  The four-story Undergraduate Science Laboratory Building will warehouse educational space for the College of Science, College of Engineering, College of Natural Resources and Environment, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  The building’s laboratory spaces are designed to be flexible for multiple uses, and the facility will also feature study areas, student spaces as well as offices for faculty and teaching assistants.

In a recent announcement by Skanska, Greg Peele, executive vice president responsible for the firm’s North Carolina and Virginia building operations, said that the building will improve the scientific inquiry and instruction taking place at Virginia Tech.

“This building supports the university’s strategic goal to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing landscape of higher education,” he said.

Added Dwyn Taylor, assistant vice president for capital construction at Virginia Tech: “The construction of the Undergraduate Science Laboratory Building is an exciting new phase in the realization of Virginia Tech’s vision for the north academic district, as highlighted in our university master plan.  The Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities looks forward to collaborating with Skanska to bring this project to life.”

The work is due to be finished in the spring of 2024.

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BELMONT, Mass.—On Friday, March 4, construction and development firm, Skanska, together with the Belmont Middle and High School Building Committee (BMHSBC), the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), and student representatives from Belmont Middle and High School, celebrated the topping out for Belmont Middle School. The design firm for the project is Perkins+Will.

Once completed in September, 2023, the brand-new Middle School will be an approximately 170,000-square-foot school building featuring dedicated classroom, recreation and administrative space. The Belmont Middle and High School buildings will share major facilities located in the High School, including the kitchen and café, auditorium, pool and Field House. The construction milestone marks a significant step forward in the progress for phase two, and the overall completion, of the transformative school project.

“At Skanska we pride ourselves on building what matters, and it’s especially rewarding to be celebrating this exciting milestone in person with the students and school representatives who will soon be learning and teaching out of the new buildings,” said Bryan Northrop, Executive Vice President of Skanska USA Building in Boston. “We look forward to delivering Belmont Middle School and completing the full school project so that future generations of Belmont students have a first-class environment in which they can receive an education and be inspired.”

Belmont school officials, students and local community members in attendance on Friday heard a short speaking program featuring Belmont High School Principal, Isaac Taylor; School Committee Chair Amy Checkoway; MSBA Chief Operating Officer, James MacDonald; Belmont Grades 7 & 8 Principal, Karla Koza; and Skanska Building Superintendent, Manny Hoyo. Attendees also enjoyed a performance of the National Anthem by the Belmont High School Marching Band before signing the symbolic final beam for the Middle School, representing the last structural component of the entire Belmont Middle and High School project. The in-person celebration was a welcome change from the virtual event that took place nearly two years ago when the High School building topped out in May 2020 during phase one of construction.

“Watching the final beam being raised over the Middle School signifying such an important milestone means so much to our students, school staff and the entire Belmont community,” said Bill Lovallo, Chair of the Belmont Middle and High School Building Committee. “We are thrilled to be one step closer to enjoying our beautiful new school building which will serve as a cornerstone for the community for many years to come.”

Phase one of construction at Belmont Middle and High School centered on the delivery of Belmont High School, a four-floor, 451,000-square-foot building for grades 7-12 which Skanska renovated and expanded to include new academic and science wings, media and dining areas, administrative health suites, and updates to the existing gymnasium and pool. The High School building was completed in September 2021 in time for the new school year.

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