The University of Nebraska Medical Center Celebrates Grand Opening of New Pharmacy Building
The UNMC Center for Drug Discovery and Lozier Center for Pharmacy Sciences and Education, designed by RDG, will support practical learning and application.
On August 23, 2016, the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) celebrated the opening of its Center for Drug Discovery and Lozier Center for Pharmacy Sciences and Education. The new state-of-the-art building, designed by RDG Planning & Design, houses teaching classrooms, pharmacy practice skill labs and administrative offices on the first two levels, while the third level, accessible only by keycard, is reserved solely for research labs to support the study of infectious diseases and expand the drug discovery footprint at UNMC.
“When the growth in research and increased academic space requirements led the UNMC College of Pharmacy to pursue expansion and connection to other academic health science programs, what began as visioning workshops for students, faculty, and staff has come to fruition in this new building,” said RDG Architect and Principal, Joe Lang, AIA.
Encompassing 85,490-SF, the building consists of spaces where students can engage in solo or group study or collaboration and educational spaces, including two large classrooms, two mid-sized classrooms, two auditoriums, and 12 group meeting rooms.
“This building is why you hire architects,” said Dr. Courtney Fletcher, Pharm.D., UNMC College of Pharmacy Dean. “It’s beautiful, flooded with natural light, energy-efficient and they’ve used every nook and cranny...it’s a perfect example of form following function.”