Podium Restoration & Renewal
Overview
Though one mega structure containing fifteen original buildings and approximately 1.8 million
square feet of space, the Academic Podium can be conceptualized as three distinct zones: the east
end (physical science buildings such as Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics ), the west
end (social science buildings such as Humanities, Social Science, Education, and Business) and the
middle portion (core support such as Performance Arts, Campus Center, Computing Center and the
University Library). The Academic Podium buildings were all constructed in the mid- to late
1960s, and with the exception of a few selected improvements, are outdated and do not adequately
meet current teaching and research facilities standards. The challenges are particularly acute in
the physical science buildings, which are equipped with specialized equipment and fume hoods and
utilize large amounts of energy, thus exacerbating mechanical system inefficiencies and deferred
maintenance needs.
As part of the 2013-2018 Facilities Master Plan (FMP), the University at Albany is planning for
the complete renovation of the academic podium over the next 30 years. The University at Albany,
through the FMP, is identifying and planning the space, programmatic and capital needs for the
complete rehabilitation and renovation of these buildings. Restoring the campus core will make
the best use of existing facilities and help define new space requirements to support the
advancement of the University's research and teaching goals.
Building 25 is undergoing rehabilitation and its completion will enable Building 27 to be
emptied and gut rehabilitated as part of the University's multi-year critical maintenance plan.
Similar initatives involving new construction that leverages our ability to gut renovate buildings
on the east and in the center of the Academic Podium are envisioned as part of the FMP.
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