• Cal State San Marcos held a topping-out ceremony April 24 for Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering, marking the placement of the final structural beam.听
• The听roughly 70,000-square-foot, three-story building is slated to open in fall 2027 with laboratories, a robotics suite and collaboration-focused learning space.听
• CSUSM leaders say the project supports expansion of engineering programs, including growth in engineering enrollment from about 500 students to听nearly 2,000听and a planned industrial and systems engineering program.听
• The project follows a July 31, 2025,听groundbreaking for what CSUSM then called the Integrated Science and Engineering Building, an estimated $110 million facility designed by HGA with C.W. Driver Companies as general contractor.听听
• A $10 million gift from Hunter Industries helped advance the project and is tied to CSUSM鈥檚 $200 million 鈥淏lueprint for the Future鈥� fundraising campaign.听

SAN MARCOS, Calif. 鈥� Cal State San Marcos celebrated a key construction milestone for its new Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering, bringing campus leaders,听donors听and community supporters together April 24 to mark the building鈥檚 topping out.听听

The ceremony, a construction tradition that includes signing and lifting the final structural beam, highlights progress on a听roughly 70,000-square-foot, three-story facility听鈥� designed by HGA being built by general contractor C.W. Driver Companies 鈥� is听scheduled to open in fall 2027.听听

University officials said the new听$110 million听hall is intended to create听additional听capacity for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CSTEM) while supporting the campus鈥� emphasis on student success and social mobility.听听

鈥淭his facility is social mobility in action.听It鈥檚听about providing access for students, many of whom are the first in their families to go to college, stepping into fields that are shaping the future,鈥� CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said, according to听an article from CSUSM听NewsCenter.听

Hunter Hall is expected to include听state-of-the-art听laboratories, a robotics suite and collaborative learning spaces. The project will help expand engineering enrollment from 500 to听nearly 2,000听students and support the launch of a new industrial and systems engineering program, building on existing electrical, software and computer engineering offerings.听

The three-story building听is being听constructed at the top of campus between Markstein Hall and the Arts Building and will听include teaching and research labs, classrooms, student support areas, staff offices, a听caf茅听and outdoor gathering spaces.听

Hunter Industries听has听committed a $10 million philanthropic investment to support construction听鈥斕齩ne of the largest gifts in university history.听听

鈥淎n educated workforce is the foundation of a thriving economy,鈥� said Greg Hunter, CEO of Hunter Industries, according to听an article from CSUSM听NewsCenter. 鈥淲e are proud to deepen our partnership with CSUSM and invest in a facility that will empower students, strengthen our community and drive innovation for decades to come.鈥�听

CSUSM said the gift helped advance its 鈥淏lueprint for the Future鈥� campaign, which the university describes as its most ambitious fundraising effort to date, and positioned the project as part of broader plans to expand facilities and STEM programming.听

Get more weekly reports and听timely听updates by subscribing for free at听schoolconstructionnews.com/subscribe.听

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• Colorado State University held an April 24 topping-out ceremony for the ATLAS Facility, a two-story laser research building on the Foothills Campus.
• The project team completed the structural steel frame for the 77,626-square-foot facility, with participants signing the final beam before placement.
• The $150 million public-private partnership includes CSU and Marvel Fusion, with additional support from the U.S. Department of Energy and other sources.
• Substantial completion is scheduled for December 2026, and the university anticipates an official opening in 2027.
• The specialized interior build-out will include cleanrooms and vibration-sensitive labs designed for high-performance laser research.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. 鈥� Colorado State University marked a major construction milestone April 24 with a topping-out ceremony for the Advanced Technology Lasers for Applications and Science, or ATLAS, Facility, a project officials say will become one of the world鈥檚 most advanced laser research centers.听

The event recognized completion of the structural steel frame for the two-story, 77,626-square-foot building now rising on the university鈥檚 Foothills Campus near the Department of Atmospheric Science building. During the ceremony, faculty,听students听and staff were invited to sign the final beam before it was placed atop the structure, a longstanding construction tradition symbolizing progress and safety.听

鈥淎s the United States works to lead in areas like fusion energy and directed-energy technologies, facilities like this are essential,鈥� said Cassandra Moseley, Vice President for Research at CSU. 鈥淎TLAS will serve as a critical testbed, bringing together academia, industry and government to accelerate innovation, strengthen energy security and ensure our competitiveness on a global stage. I鈥檓 grateful for our industry and federal partners who have been 鈥� and will be critical in making this vision for scientific progress a reality.

When complete, the ATLAS Facility is expected to house one of the most powerful laser systems in the world, supporting research in听fusion听energy,听medicine听and fundamental science. University leaders have said the project is intended to position Colorado State as a global hub for next-generation laser science and related technologies.听

The project is being delivered through a $150 million public-private partnership involving Colorado State University and Marvel Fusion, with听additional听support from the U.S. Department of Energy and other funding sources. The facility was developed by Tetrad Real Estate, designed by architecture and engineering firm SWBR, and is being built by McCarthy Building Companies.听

Ground听was broken on the project in fall 2024. Substantial completion is scheduled for December 2026, with an official opening听anticipated听in 2027.听

With the steel frame now in place, construction will shift to听enclosure听of the building exterior, followed by installation of mechanical,听electrical听and plumbing systems. Crews will then begin the specialized interior build-out听required听for high-performance research operations, including cleanrooms, vibration-sensitive laboratories and precision environments needed to support advanced laser equipment.听

Facilities of this type typically require stringent environmental controls to听maintain听stable temperature,听humidity听and air quality, while also minimizing vibration and electromagnetic interference that could affect experiments.听Those technical requirements often make research laboratories more complex than conventional academic buildings.听

University officials have said the ATLAS Facility will expand Colorado State鈥檚 long-standing leadership in laser and plasma science while creating opportunities for faculty recruitment, student听training听and industry collaboration. The project听also is听expected to attract visiting researchers and federal research partnerships.听

Fusion energy research has drawn increasing international attention in recent years as governments, universities and private companies pursue technologies that could provide large-scale carbon-free power. Laser-based systems are among several approaches under development to achieve controlled fusion reactions.听

Beyond research, the facility is expected to generate economic benefits for the Fort Collins region during both construction and operation. Large capital projects typically support jobs across the design,听engineering听and construction sectors, while new research infrastructure can create longer-term demand for technical talent,听suppliers听and related business activity.听

The topping-out ceremony also highlighted continued momentum on Colorado State鈥檚 Foothills Campus, which has become a center for research initiatives tied to engineering, atmospheric science,听energy听and technology.听

Once operational, ATLAS is expected to serve as a flagship asset for the university and a prominent addition to the state鈥檚 research infrastructure. Officials say the facility鈥檚 combination of scale, technical sophistication and partnerships could make it a significant contributor to scientific discovery for years to come.听

Get more weekly reports and timely updates by subscribing for free at听schoolconstructionnews.com/subscribe.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. 鈥� Construction has reached a key milestone on the Northland Workforce Development Center, as JE Dunn Construction and project partners recently celebrated the topping out of the new facility. The event marked the placement of the final structural steel beam for the project, signaling听significant progress听on the 145,000-square-foot, two-story building designed to expand access to career and technical education across the Northland region.听

Prior to the听beam鈥檚听installation, attendees听participated听in a traditional beam-signing ceremony, adding their names and messages to a steel beam bearing project and partner logos. The moment underscored the collaboration among the Platte County R-3 School District, partner school districts, project听stakeholders听and the broader community in advancing a shared workforce development vision.听

鈥淭his project is about creating opportunities and pathways for the next generation of skilled professionals in our region,鈥� said Brad Hokanson, Project Executive at JE Dunn Construction. 鈥淩eaching the topping out milestone is a testament to the collaboration between the district, design team, and trade partners who are bringing this innovative learning environment to life.鈥�听

The Northland Workforce Development Center is designed to support programs in skilled trades, manufacturing, health听sciences听and human services. Once complete, the facility will expand the capacity of Northland Career Center and its partners, serving both high school students and adult learners seeking industry-aligned training and credentials.听

Planned program spaces include flexible labs and classrooms, hands-on training听environments听and technology-rich areas that reflect real-world workplace conditions. Located in the Northland region of Kansas City, the project is progressing on schedule, with substantial completion targeted in 2027 and a summer opening听anticipated听following the structural milestone.听

鈥淲ith support from the State of Missouri, local municipalities, businesses and industries, individual investors, and community foundations, we are making a long-term investment in the success of our students and the future of our region,鈥� said Brian Noller, Executive Director of Business Services and NWDC Campaign Lead at Platte County School District. 鈥淭he Northland Workforce Development Center will open doors to high-demand career opportunities, strengthen employers across the Kansas City area, and help ensure our community remains competitive for years to come.鈥�听

JE Dunn is serving as construction manager for the project, working in partnership with the school district and design firm Clark & Enersen. The project team has emphasized safety, schedule听adherence听and coordination throughout construction, while听maintaining听communication with stakeholders and minimizing disruption to nearby facilities.听

The Northland Workforce Development Center听represents听a regional investment in workforce readiness, aligning educational infrastructure with evolving industry needs and supporting long-term economic development in the Kansas City area.听

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By Lindsey Coulter

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. 鈥� Construction of the new American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University recently marked a major construction milestone with the ceremonial topping out of the new David E. and Stacey L. Goel Center for Creativity & Performance. The A.R.T. plans to welcome audiences in early 2027.

Located in the Allston neighborhood of Boston, the new home for the A.R.T. was designed to foster groundbreaking performance, public gathering, teaching and international research. The Goel Center for Creativity & Performance is designed by Haworth Tompkins (architect and design lead) and ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge (architect of record), in collaboration with theater and acoustic consultant Charcoalblue. Shawmut Design and Construction serves as the project鈥檚 construction manager.

鈥淩eaching the topping off milestone on the new home of the American Repertory Theater is an incredible moment for everyone involved in bringing this visionary project to life,鈥� said Kevin Sullivan, Executive Vice President of Shawmut Design and Construction鈥檚 New England Region. 鈥淭his structure represents both a remarkable technical achievement and a new benchmark for sustainable, low-carbon construction. Raising the final piece of the mass timber structure not only marks the next chapter in the A.R.T.鈥檚 story, but also stands as a symbol of innovation, collaboration, and community impact that will define this building for decades to come.鈥�

Conceived through core principles of openness, artistic flexibility, collaboration, sustainability, and regenerative design, the Goel Center will provide interconnected, adaptable, multi-use spaces that support creativity and embrace future change. It will include two flexible performance venues 鈥� one seating 700 guests and capable of hosting large-scale productions as well as a versatile and intimate 300-seat black box theater. Additional spaces will include light-filled rehearsal studios and teaching spaces, a spacious public lobby, a caf茅, and an outdoor performance yard. The building will also include dressing rooms, technical shops and administrative offices

A blend of peer review and scientific contributions from across Harvard University informed a rigorous design process. Members of The Harvard Healthy Buildings Academy, the Harvard Office for Sustainability, the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Health, the Arnold Arboretum, and the Harvard Graduate School of Design each contributed to the project.

The center advances Harvard鈥檚 ambitious sustainability priorities and is designed with a blend of environmental and social strategies to minimize embodied and operational carbon, maximize wellbeing, boost biodiversity and enhance resiliency. This holistic approach to sustainable and regenerative design sets up the Goel Center to achieve Living Building Challenge Core accreditation from the International Living Future Institute, recognizing that it gives more to its environment than it takes.

A key driver of this commitment is the use of low-carbon, responsibly sourced materials. The building is constructed with laminate mass timber, reclaimed brick and cedar cladding to minimize its lifetime carbon budget. More than 2,000 individual mass timber components have been installed, including columns, beams, floors, walls, stairways and elevator shafts.

鈥淲e鈥檙e celebrating not just the placement of the final piece of mass timber but also the 50% point of construction.鈥� said Susan Malaab, Senior Project Manager with Harvard Capital Projects. 鈥淭he planning for the A.R.T. performance center began in 2018 with workshops that prioritized the goals of the project. Flexibility, public gathering, accessibility and a model of sustainability would shape the design. The design and construction team formed a partnership to reach those goals while maintaining the scope and budgetary requirements. The construction of the building will support the incremental expansion of the innovation ecosystem for the arts in Allston.鈥�

The building鈥檚 chilled water, hot water and electric utilities will be supplied by Harvard鈥檚 new lower-carbon District Energy Facility. Additional clean energy will be generated by rooftop solar panels, while natural ventilation will reduce energy use and enhance occupant comfort. A green roof and extensive plantings will aid stormwater attenuation, increase biodiversity, and promote occupant wellbeing.

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HOUSTON鈥擲tafford Municipal School District (MSD) has just celebrated the topping out ceremony of its new middle School. The event took place on the project site with a beam signing ceremony to commemorate the special occasion

The middle school, which can accommodate 950 students in grades 6-8, is being constructed as part of Stafford MSD鈥檚 $62 million bond program that passed in November 2017. Designed by AutoArch Architects and constructed by Drymalla Construction, it will offer instructional spaces and programs designed to attract a diverse student population throughout the school district.

The three-story building, spanning 127,262 square feet, includes cutting-edge science laboratories, library, two gymnasiums and a cafetorium. The new middle school will replace the existing middle school, which was built in 1983 during the district鈥檚 inception. The construction of the new middle school will be completed in June 2020 in time for occupancy by staff and enrollment in August 2020.

鈥淭he new middle school is aesthetically appealing and offers unique instructional opportunities for Stafford MSD students,鈥� said JP Grom, vice president at Lockwood Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN), the firm serving as the program manager for the bond program.

Other elements of the bond program include a new grades 3-12 magnet school for Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) 鈥� the only one of its kind in Fort Bend County, a new administration building with a visitor鈥檚 center, and a repurposed community center in place of the current administration building. The bond program also includes an educational plaza and an early childhood center.

LAN is a full-service consulting firm offering planning, engineering and program management services for the nation’s heavy civil infrastructure needs.

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