The completion of the Physical Science building on the south end of campus near the Libra Residence Community and the Health Center was in late 2008. Built in phases, the first phase spans almost 58,000 square feet and costs approximately $21 million. The construction of phase II began in early 2009 and while both buildings were built separately, an atrium joined both once construction finished. Phase II of the building, with a construction finish date of June 2010, cost approximately $30 million for the 62,000 square foot building.
The need for a new facility, according to a November 2008 UCF Today article, was in high demand because physical science students were sharing older buildings on campus with chemistry, engineering, and math students. The increase in enrollment also put pressure to increase the classroom space for physical science students and laboratories. The location of the Physical Science Building is close by Engineering I and II, Business Administration I and II, Harris Corporation Engineering Building, Chemistry Building, and Math and Physics building, allowing for current students to have easy access to laboratories, teachers’ offices, and other facilities nearby their older classrooms. While Phase I of the Physical Science Building did not include classrooms, the laboratories and office space in the surrounding buildings that moved into the Physical Science Building were converted into classroom space.
Along with nine other newer buildings on campus, the Physical Science Building was Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, meaning that the building was built green and environmentally friendly. According to a 2009 article from the Central Florida Future, the pursuit of a silver-rated LEED certification, the lowest rating required for LEED certification, was the university’s primary goal but the Physical Sciences building earned LEED gold status. The design of the green building included windows strategically placed to allow daylight into the building, along with a green roof for plants and solar panels to alleviate heating and cooling costs.
