The Undergraduate Science Laboratory Building on Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus is a state-of-the-art facility that represents a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to advancing scientific education and research. Spanning approximately 102,000 gross-square-feet, this new building is designed to support modern laboratory practices and foster interdisciplinary collaboration among students and faculty from various colleges.
According to the Division of Facilities’ capital construction closeout process, the Undergraduate Science Laboratory Building is now open, with remaining cosmetic finishes expected to be completed over the next several weeks into the fall semester. In partnership with the building’s contractor, minor construction activities will continue both inside and outside the facility, with a focus on accommodating teaching and learning schedules. Students and faculty are encouraged to use the building only during scheduled classes, labs, and associated activities until the building is fully completed later this fall.
The building features 26 flexible and adaptable laboratories, including wet, dry, and specialty labs. These modern spaces are equipped to meet the evolving instructional needs of the College of Science, the College of Engineering, the College of Natural Resources and Environment, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. These laboratories will provide students with the opportunity to work on projects that bridge academic instruction with experiential learning and real-world applications.
In addition to advanced laboratories, the facility also includes general-use classrooms, collaboration spaces, offices, informal study areas, and workspaces for graduate teaching assistants. This comprehensive design ensures that students and faculty have access to a variety of spaces that support different types of learning and research activities. The completion of the Undergraduate Science Laboratory Building represents a major milestone in Virginia Tech’s campus master plan, which outlines land use strategies to support the university’s strategic vision.
Overall, the opening of the Undergraduate Science Laboratory Building is a significant step forward for Virginia Tech in its mission to provide cutting-edge scientific education and research opportunities for students and faculty. With its modern facilities and focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, this new building will undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the future of scientific innovation at the university.
