News 2017: SMAST Expansion project nearing completion

New campus, located on Clark's Cove in New Bedford, on target to open this fall.

Construction is moving forward on the School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST) Expansion at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. The building is being designed by Massachusetts-based architectural firm Ellenzweig, who has released new renderings of the interior and exterior spaces.

"The oceans play a key role in our coastal economy and way of life. By bringing our faculty, students and staff together with our partners at the Division of Marine Fisheries, we better position the University, Commonwealth and region to understand and respond to these changes."

The new campus, which is a collaboration with the state Department of Marine Fisheries (DMF), is situated in close proximity to the 35,000-square foot facility campus on Clark’s Cove. The three-level building will consolidate the marine science activities of the university into a comprehensive facility; feature offices and areas for faculty, technical staff, and students; and will be configured to handle different size classes, conferences, and other events.

Highlights

•     Supplements the existing 35,000 sq. ft. building on the former Naval Reserve Center in New Bedford, MA
•     Includes state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, such as a high bay area and seawater research facility
•     includes space for the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and dive gear program to be accommodated in both buildings
•     Consolidates the marine science activities of the university into a comprehensive facility comprised of approximately 150 students, faculty, and staff
•     Satisfies the LEED Silver rating requirements of Massachusetts Executive Order 484, and shall meet the intentions of UMass Dartmouth’s Climate Action Plan
•     Opens fall of 2017

Photos courtesy of Ellenzweig. To view the full gallery, visit SMAST on Facebook.