Ohio University will break ground on a new state-of-the-art chemistry building on Thursday, Aug. 30.
A reception will be held in Clippinger Laboratories from 3 to 5 p.m., with the groundbreaking to take place at 3:45 p.m. Speakers will include Ohio University President Dr. M. Duane Nellis; Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Chaden Djalali; Dr. David Scholl, Chair of the Ohio University Board of Trustees; and Dr. Joseph Shields, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
The new 69,000-square-foot building, which will be located on the site of the current parking area just north of Clippinger Laboratories, will feature student and faculty collaboration spaces, research and instructional laboratories, and faculty and graduate student offices.
“Ohio University’s scientists are conducting groundbreaking research, and we’re looking forward to moving some of that research into a modern facility that allows students and faculty to do their best work in a more visible environment,” Shields said. “Teaching and research needs are dramatically different than they were when Clippinger Laboratories opened in 1965, and this project will reflect 21st Century instructional and research standards.”
The building is planned to open in the summer of 2020 and is the first part of a phased renovation and augmentation of Clippinger Labs. The first phase is estimated to cost $42.6 million.
"The architects, planners, staff and faculty have all been involved in the collaborative discussions to develop an exciting new facility for chemistry,” said Dr. Stephen C. Bergmeier, Professor and Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “We are excited for the project as it will complement the core strengths of the department and enable us to achieve our full potential for the 21st century."
The first phase includes moving undergraduate instructional laboratories from the basement of Clippinger to the first floor of the new facility. The instructional labs will open to light-filled student collaboration spaces, an environment designed to support student and faculty interaction by providing a variety of work areas in different settings.
The first floor of the new building will also include a space for shared research instrumentation, and will put research activity on display next to the undergraduate student labs. Upper floors will feature laboratories and offices, as well as collaboration and conference rooms.
The building is situated to preserve nearby old growth sycamore trees.
The project will require the closure of parking lots 83 and 84 and a section of University Terrace on Aug. 27. Alternative parking arrangements can be found here.