The 186,000-square-foot Sciences Building, which opened in July 2020, was officially dedicated recently.

Located on The University of Texas at Dallas campus, the new facility houses the Department of Physics, classrooms, offices, teaching and research labs, and some activities of the William B. Hanson Center for Space Sciences. The building features 150-seat and 300-seat lecture halls and an open courtyard with green space and seating areas.

The L-shaped design allows students to see science in action as they pass teaching labs on the ground floor. The second and third floors of the building share a departmental lounge space with couches and large-screen TVs for informal cross-collaboration among faculty and students. Because the building’s basement was built close to bedrock, it is ideal for experiments that require minimal vibrations, the lowest possible temperature or a dark environment for laser spectroscopy.

The building also has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold status by the U.S. Green Building Council, becoming the ninth structure on campus to earn LEED certification. The building incorporates regionally sourced materials and technology that significantly reduce water consumption. Energy-efficient equipment and lighting reduce energy use, and about 75% of demolition and construction waste was diverted from landfills through recycling. Nearly a quarter of the building materials are made of recycled content, including concrete, steel, framing, drywall and flooring.

 

Dr. David Hyndman, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) and the Francis S. and Maurine G. Johnson Distinguished University Chair, said the building is a testament of progress for the school and provides important space for faculty, staff and students.

“It opens up student research opportunities — not just for NSM students, but for students all across campus,” he said during the ribbon-cutting. “Having them come and experience the latest science initiatives in this building is a wonderful thing.”

The dedication ceremony, which was held March 6 after being delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, similarly celebrated the completion of phase three of the Campus Landscape Enhancement Project, which concluded in 2021.

The $70 million project encompassed the planting of almost 8,000 trees, enhanced hardscape, new monument signs, and the creation of a picturesque gateway from the center of campus to Northside and a future Dallas Area Rapid Transit station. A portion of Rutford Avenue — from North Loop Road to Franklyn Jenifer Drive — was turned into a 24-foot-wide promenade for pedestrians.

The first phase began in 2010 after a $50 million gift from Margaret McDermott. The Margaret McDermott Mall and Trellis Plaza were named in her honor after landscape architect Peter Walker transformed the campus with thousands of trees, five reflecting pools lined with magnolia trees, a wisteria-covered trellis and a circular fountain and mister.

In addition to Hyndman, speakers at the event included Dr. Richard C. Benson, UTD president and the Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership; Dr. Inga H. Musselman, provost, vice president for academic affairs and the Cecil H. Green Distinguished Chair of Academic Leadership; Dr. Calvin D. Jamison, vice president for facilities and economic development; UT System Regent Christina Melton Crain; and mathematics senior Alison Spadaro, UTD Student Government secretary.