Canisius College Science Hall – Buffalo, NY

Property Description

Canisius College Science Hall – Phase 1 & 2 Buffalo, NY 14208

Client Objective

2008 Design a 240,000 square-foot state-of-the-art science center

Uniland Development Company has a long standing relationship with Canisius College, the largest private university in Western New York and one of the 28 Jesuit,  Catholic colleges in the nation.
• Modification to the original foundation design and structural elements would be restricted due to the existing concrete structure, causing design and renovation challenges.
• Additionally, the project was to be completed in phases, as funding to the College dictated the construction timeline. This posed a strain to a normal construction schedule of renovating from the ground floor up.

Strategy

Uniland Construction Corporation worked with the architect to ensure a layout was designed to fit within the existing footprint, while addressing the design limitations the original concrete pillars brought to the building fit-out. Since the College would hold classroom activities during the construction of Phase 2, the build-out of the basement, Uniland had to be cautious not to disturb students on campus.

Results

In under two years, Phase 1 and 2 renovations to the basement and the ground floor, totaling 118,620 square feet, of the Science Hall were complete.
• The facility enables Canisius to serve students of all academic disciplines, especially biology, chemistry, physics, robotics and math.
• Phase 1 and 2 renovations of Science Hall include high-tech classrooms, labs and gathering spaces, interactive science-on-display areas that exhibit animal behaviors and studies, green living walls, a café and large common area for group study and events.
• Upgrades were also made to the school’s IT department. The new facility will allow for collaborations with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
• A third construction phase is planned for the upper floors with a renovation focus on biology and chemistry disciplines. Uniland looks forward to work with Canisius College on Phase 3 renovations.