Old Dominion University New Biology Building

W. M. Jordan Company is providing construction services for Old Dominion University’s new Biological Sciences Building, a transformative five‑story academic and research facility located in the heart of ODU’s science quad. At 162,586 square feet, this is the largest capital construction project in the university’s history in terms of scope and size.

Designed to support cutting‑edge work in biomedical, environmental, and ecological sciences, the building will house the Department of Biological Sciences along with state‑of‑the‑art instructional, research, and collaboration spaces. These include modern classrooms, teaching laboratories, flexible research labs, faculty offices, conference and meeting rooms, and a 120‑seat active‑learning lecture hall.

A signature feature of the facility is the new Arthur and Phyllis Kaplan Orchid Conservatory, a two‑story greenhouse and conservatory complex designed for botanical research, display, and hands‑on learning. Additional specialized support spaces include zoology collections, herbarium collections, vivarium facilities, microscopy suites, and shared instrumentation labs that encourage interdisciplinary discovery.

The building’s design emphasizes transparency, natural light, and connection to the surrounding landscape. Research labs are positioned along the north façade with full glass exposure, while multi‑story student commons areas overlook the adjacent stormwater pond — creating an immersive learning environment that integrates indoor and outdoor experiences.

As a new hub for scientific education and innovation, the Biological Sciences Building will provide ODU students and faculty with modern resources, collaborative spaces, and resilient infrastructure that support hands‑on research and long‑term academic growth. This landmark project reflects ODU’s commitment to advancing scientific discovery and preparing future generations of researchers, educators, and STEM professionals.