Clemson University has revealed that construction of the new Forestry and Environmental Conservation (FEC) building in the US state of South Carolina will begin this month.
Last month, the university held a groundbreaking ceremony for the building.
The project will feature advanced learning spaces and focus on mass-timber construction.
The 85,000ft2 building will encompass classrooms, laboratories, collaboration spaces, offices, and support areas spread across four levels.
In addition, the project will include an outdoor laboratory adjacent to Hunnicutt Creek, a garden courtyard.
To be situated at the northeast corner of Cherry and Perimeter roads, the facility will serve as the new nerve centre for the FEC department on campus, replacing Lehotsky Hall.
The first phase of project involves the removal of the E-21 parking lot and site preparation, including tree removal.
A section of the site will undergo reforestation using native trees that will serve as an outdoor teaching laboratory and enhance the existing ecosystem.
Despite some tree removal for construction, the plan ensures a net gain of 106 trees, aligning with Clemson's comprehensive tree care methods.
The building's design will display the use of mass-timber construction and advanced wood products and technologies.
Next month, the project will progress to the installation of utilities beneath a section of Cherry Road between Jersey Lane and Zeta Theta Street.
Construction is scheduled to commence on 13 May 2024, at the intersection of Jersey Lane, with completion expected in early 2026.
In May last year, the university broke ground on Advanced Materials Innovation Complex.
The $130m building project, spanning 143,000ft², includes research and teaching laboratories, synergistic classrooms and collaborative spaces for exploration.
