Facility Design | News

UH Manoa Begins $15-million Renovation of Science Facility

• By Kanoe Namahoe
• 03/05/12

The University of Hawaii at Manoa held a groundbreaking ceremony last week to kick off a $15-million renovation project of its science and educational research facility, Edmonson Hall.

Named after former UH Zoology professor Charles Edmondson, the renovated facility will feature updated classrooms, teaching labs, research laboratories, as well as new shared spaces for collaborative activities. Additional planned improvements include a rooftop solar panel installation, energy-efficient lighting, electrical and plumbing systems, and a new fire alarm and suppression system.

The university expects to improve learning and research efforts through this renovation effort, according to UH Chancellor Virginia Henshaw. "The renovation of Edmondson Hall will create a much-needed, modern facility for further strengthening of research and learning opportunities for students pursuing an education in the biological sciences," said Henshaw in a prepared statement released last week by the university.

Group 70 International is leading the UH Manoa project. The Honolulu, HI-based firm has completed a number of facility projects for K-12 and higher education campuses throughout the state.

UH Manoa anticipates completion of the facility makeover by July 2013. The renovated Edmondson Hall will house the department of Biology and, with Snyder Hall--which is home to the university's department of Microbiology--will become the Center for Life Sciences Research and Teaching at UH Mānoa.