Construction is complete on the Tom Apodaca Science Building at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The 183,000-square-foot structure replaces the university’s existing Natural Sciences Building and provides additional space, capacity and technology to meet the growing demand for science, technology, engineering and math coursework at the university. Skanska USA served as the general contractor on the project.
The Tom Apodaca Science Building houses the Department of Biology, the Department of Chemistry and Physics and the interdisciplinary program in Forensic Science. It also has a computational lab, global information system lab, forensic anthropology lab and a wide range of teaching and research labs to support STEM education.
The five-level building features science labs, classroom spaces, along with a rooftop greenhouse and terrace, making a sixth usable outdoor floor and a steam micro-plant that can carry capacity for up to four university buildings, thus taking capacity load off of its aging steam plant. The existing laboratories in the Natural Sciences Building remained operational throughout construction and were relocated to the new building upon completion. The old Natural Sciences Building was then demolished for the creation of the courtyard.
Lord Aeck Sargent was the architect on the project, while AEI Engineering served as the engineer.
Photos courtesy of Skanska
Join our thriving community of 70,000+ superintendents and trade professionals on LinkedIn!
Search our job board for your next opportunity, or post an opening within your company.
Subscribe to our monthly
Construction Superintendent eNewsletter and stay current. 
