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Morgan State University on Thursday unveiled designs for its estimated $342 million new science and research complex, moving one step closer to building a state-of-the-art facility for science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs. It is expected to open in the fall of 2027.

The architect of record (AOR) is Moody Nolan Inc., the largest black architecture firm in the United States, working with two associate architects, Cannon Design and K. Dixon Architecture.

The design showcases modern facilities equipped with the latest technological features for advanced teaching, very high research activities and scientific discoveries. The eight-story, 246,000-square-foot building will be located at the corner of E. Cold Spring Lane and Stadium Way in the current Richard M. Dickson Scientific Research Center Opposite N. Dixon Science Research Center).

The release of the new renderings marks an important milestone as the university continues to invest in the future of its science education and research. The Scientific Research Complex will advance the University’s commitment to Carnegie’s R1 (very high research activity) classification and solidify Morgan’s position as a national center for innovation, collaboration and cutting-edge research.

The new science complex will be one of the university’s state-of-the-art facilities and feature frontline research and teaching laboratories, innovation spaces and classrooms that support interdisciplinary collaboration.

Morgan State University’s R1 classification was a guideline for design and final construction. The new facility will house world-class laboratories where researchers, faculty and students will work seamlessly together to create a dynamic environment to achieve breakthroughs that address the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Moody Nolan’s project team includes Churchill Banks III, a 1997 Morgan State University graduate. In addition to being an African-American owned company, Moody-Nolan is also committed to achieving a 47.75% minority business enterprise (MBE) target design for the new building, which is valued at approximately $9.5 million (MBE USD).

The new Morgan Scientific Research Center will have the following outstanding features, including but not limited to:

• Collaborative Teaching and Research Spaces – A variety of laboratory and teaching spaces designed to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, with spaces specifically tailored for innovative teaching and collaborative research across a broad range of scientific disciplines. In addition to cutting-edge biology and chemistry laboratories, the science complex will also house a “clean room” for professional scientific research.
• Information Technology and Computing Laboratories – New cutting-edge work centers and computing laboratories designed to support biological and chemical research will complement the building’s teaching spaces and a variety of teaching, research and collaborative research laboratory options.
• Tutoring and Learning Center – Active learning rooms that engage students more than traditional teaching spaces.
• Environmental and Plant Rooftop Greenhouse—Promoting ecological science research and providing hands-on learning experiences for students, this 3,000-square-foot greenhouse will house plants that support research on insects, climate change, genetic diversity and other botanical programs. Its roof design will seamlessly integrate into a sustainable green roof that occupies the facility’s terrace.
• Remote and hybrid technology integration—Advanced remote and hybrid solutions advance modern workflows, facilitate information exchange, and enhance teaching and learning to further adapt to the changing education landscape and remote research capabilities. The new building will serve primarily as home to the Morgan School of Computing, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences (SCMNS) dean’s office and biology and chemistry programs. It will also house labs, a tutoring center and collaborative/creative spaces.

Morgan University has constructed several new or fully renovated spaces on campus over the past decade, representing a total infrastructure investment of more than $1.1 billion. A boom in campus development during this period included the emergence of the Morgan West Campus, including the Morgan Business Center and Martin D. Jenkins Hall – the Center for Behavioral and Social Sciences, on campus, the addition of Calvin and Tina Taylor Hall and Thurgu De Hall Marshall Mansion and Restaurant.

In the fall of 2024, Morgan will open five buildings: the fully renovated Cummings and Baldwin residence halls, a new 604-bed residence hall adjacent to Thurgood Marshall Hall, and a $171 million, 24-acre new residence hall to the south. 208,000-square-foot Health and Human Services Building. The gateway to campus.

Demolition of the Washington Service Center is underway to pave the way for construction of the new complex. In addition, the university plans to host a special groundbreaking ceremony at the site in spring 2024. Morgan’s Facilities, Design and Construction Management (FDCM) department will manage the entire project.