Duke announced Wednesday afternoon in a press release that it is planning to build a $100 million facility that will house physics and engineering programs.
The new 85,000 square foot building—which will occupy the space between the Teer and Physics buildings—will aim to promote collaboration between faculty and students in physics and engineering. It will include space for research and education in both fields. Pending approval from the Board of Trustees, groundbreaking will occur by late 2016, and the facility is scheduled to be completed in 2018. The plans were initially announced at the 75th anniversary of Duke Engineering Saturday
“[The facility] will provide a physical home for Duke’s growing partnerships that link engineering with the sciences and liberal arts, helping our students develop the broad perspectives they need to become leaders and innovators,” said President Richard Brodhead in the Duke Today press release.
The facility is expected to include 25,000 square feet devoted to classrooms and teaching labs; 40,000 square feet for engineering research; 15,000 square feet for physics research; and a 5,000-square-foot, 150-seat auditorium.
“The building will provide a literal and metaphorical bridge between engineering and the sciences—a place where the grand challenges of engineering meet the big questions of physics,” said Tom Katsouleas, dean of the Pratt School of Engineering, in the release.
In the release, Katsouleas suggested sharing a space would bring together engineering and physics in the same way that the Fitzpatrick Center for Interdisciplinary Engineering, Medicine and Applied Sciences brings together engineering and medicine. Additionally, the new building will strengthen recruitment and retention of faculty in both departments, Katsouleas said.
Funding for the facility will come from Duke Forward, the seven-year fundraising campaign that seeks to raise $3.25 billion by June 30, 2017.
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