Florida Polytechnic University Unveils Plans for HOK-Designed Research Building

Lakeland, Fla. — Florida Polytechnic University announced plans to construct another iconic building on its Lakeland campus. The facility will serve as a research hub for the Central Florida region, catalyzing high-tech development in the area.

The 85,000-square-foot Applied Research Center (ARC) will house research and teaching laboratories, student design spaces, conference rooms and faculty offices. The building will also provide study areas for graduate students and a small amount of administrative space.

The two-story building will be located on the northwest side of campus adjacent to the Innovation, Science, and Technology Building and will also be visible from I-4.

“The ARC is a critical facility that will be essential to our ability to fulfill the University’s mission to produce industry ready students, perform applied research and support economic development in Florida,” said Dr. Terry Parker, provost and executive vice president of Florida Poly. “The building will provide the needed physical infrastructure for research success and is crucial to recruiting new research-active faculty.”

The ARC will be Florida Poly’s second academic building. HOK has designed it with the goal of creating a dynamic, functional and flexible space that will promote research growth, entrepreneurship, collaboration and connectivity for the campus.

“The Applied Research Center will be an integral element in growing a high-technology economy around campus,” said Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of Florida Poly. “The ARC will provide the research labs and facilities to attract research talent, capital investment and enhanced partnerships.”

Construction is set to begin in August 2019 and will take two years.