2018 | FSU – Lyons Science Building Renovation | Fayetteville, NC
The comprehensive renovation of this four-story, 110,000-square-foot building represents a transformative effort to enhance Fayetteville State University’s research and teaching capabilities across a wide array of scientific disciplines. Guided by a phased master plan, the project began with a detailed assessment of the existing building, including a thorough due diligence investigation and needs-analysis to align curricular goals with spatial and infrastructure requirements.
Phase One focused on renovating a 2,800-square-foot laboratory to modern standards. Phase Two addressed the redistribution and upgrade of all 6,000-square feet of chemical storage areas to comply with hazardous materials regulations.
In Phase Three, our team designed a 2,700-square-foot aquatic research center, integrating facilities for research, teaching, and public education, complete with interactive exhibits. This phase also included the creation of the RISE Laboratory (Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement), a 1,400-square-foot renovation that reconfigured the existing lab suite to support high-tech imaging research and teaching.
The design embodies the University’s vision of fostering interactive and interdisciplinary learning, innovation, and community engagement. Key features include:
Support spaces and a maker-space accessible to students and faculty across disciplines.
The Planetarium and Exploratorium, designed for visits from local K-12 schools.
Additional areas for student science organizations.
A learning center and group gathering spaces for 4 to 20 people, aimed at promoting peer-to-peer and student-faculty interactions, improving student quality of life, and boosting retention rates.
This revitalized facility reflects a commitment to scientific excellence and community involvement, positioning Fayetteville State University at the forefront of modern, interdisciplinary education.