The Biochemistry Phase II building project has begun. The project will encompass multiple buildings and include approximately 265,000 gross square feet of space. The goal of the work is to provide modern laboratory and teaching facilities while at the same time preserving the historic character of the west side of Henry Mall. Demolition has removed the 1956 wing, the B1118 auditorium attached to the 1985 wing, and the animal rooms below the auditorium.

On this footprint, a new six-story research tower will rise, housing laboratories for parts of the Biochemistry department and the entire Biomolecular Chemistry Department. A new auditorium will replace B1118, as part of a mini-conference facility on the first floor. This new tower will be linked to an extensively remodeled Agricultural Journalism building. The latter will house offices, support facilities, computational (dry) labs, a cafe, and meeting rooms. On the second floor, a bridge will link this complex to a modern teaching complex made up of extensively remodeled 1912 and 1937 wings. The existing connector between the 1912 and 1937 wings will be eliminated (except for the facade on University Ave), and replaced with new construction housing two modern auditoriums and teaching labs. Offices for student services, additional classrooms, more computational labs, facilities for the Digital Media Center, a new undergraduate lounge, and facilities to house student organizations will fill out the older wings.

The historic John Steuart Curry murals in the 1937 wing will remain in place, and will be protected during the construction period. This is a complex project, acknowledging the distinguished history of Biochemistry at Wisconsin while providing the facilities needed to secure the department's future.

The above image, furnished by Flad & Associates, shows an artist rendering of the Phase II Biochemistry building as it will be seen from Henry Mall.

Link to the Construction Webcam