CEER EXPANSION PROJECT
Advancing the priorities of Villanova’s Strategic Plan, the expansion of the Center for Engineering Education and Research (CEER) will usher in a new era for the College of Engineering, furthering its commitment to igniting change through interdisciplinary research and innovative teaching and learning.
A NEW ERA FOR THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
The CEER expansion is an ambitious and forward-looking project developed through a collaborative process with input from engineering faculty and students and designed by BLTa–A Perkins Eastman Studio and Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP. In addition to creating a new home for the entire engineering community, the expansion will impact and elevate every aspect of the College’s academic and student experience with improved and expanded research facilities focused on interdisciplinary connections and state-of-the-art instruction spaces for hands-on, problem-oriented and team-based learning. The project is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2024.
Explore the CEER Expansion
Renderings of the exterior and interior of the expanded Center for Engineering Education and Research.
Realize the Impact
The expanded Center for Engineering Education and Research will better enable Villanova engineers to collaborate and innovate.
A SPACE FOR COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION
With every College of Engineering department in one location—rather than being spread across 6 buildings on campus—collaboration, innovation and a sense of distinctive College identity will grow and thrive. From the placement of faculty offices to lab configurations to gathering spaces, every aspect of the expansion is designed to foster connections and facilitate collaborative discovery and cross-disciplinary advances. In addition to serving as a learning and innovation hub for Villanova engineers, the expanded CEER building will benefit the entire Villanova community with common spaces open to all.
The 150,000 sq. ft. addition will more than double the existing 92,000 sq. ft. building and allow for:
- An expansion of engineering lab space of more than 60 percent.
- Laboratory spaces will be designed for multi-disciplinary teams to work together on topical areas of research.
- A two-story Innovation Lab—open to any student in an engineering program—will include laser and 3-D printers, work benches and work spaces, tools and equipment for building, and will be able to accommodate the Formula SAE car.
- State-of-the-art instruction spaces that can adapt to small discussion and larger lecture formats.
- Dedicated and centrally located spaces for the College of Engineering’s graduate and doctoral students, enhancing their experience as part of the College community and strengthening the entire academic environment.
- Green roofs—instrumented with smart systems to collect and monitor climate and soil moisture data—which will serve as cutting-edge teaching and research resources.
- A community space at the heart of the building for all Villanovans to gather, study and learn.
BY THE NUMBERS
150,000
square foot expansion
$125
million total project cost
63%
expansion of lab space
VILLANOVA'S STRATEGIC PLAN
To support Villanova’s growth in national stature and research output, the University is transforming and increasing academic spaces with an emphasis on the STEM areas as part of its Rooted. Restless. Strategic Plan. The expansion of CEER not only advances this initiative addressing academic spaces, but also initiatives related to research and teaching and learning. The renovated CEER building will add teaching labs, research labs and study space on campus—Villanova’s greatest needs—and by consolidating the College of Engineering into one main building will make available others for future projects.