SUNY Albany, ETEC
Where science, climate, cybersecurity and entrepreneurship collide
- Client
- State University of New York at Albany
- Location
- Albany, New York, United States
- Size
- 246,000 square feet
- Status
- Completed 2021
Thriving university and industry partnerships can generate massive opportunities for success; they can drive economic growth for a region, stabilize an entire generation of skilled workers, and fuel innovative breakthroughs and a spirit of entrepreneurship. ETEC at SUNY Albany is a testament to how design can play an influential role in this mission.
To accommodate the combined needs of fast-growing academic programs and innovative entrepreneurial resources, ETEC is a LEED Platinum facility programmed and designed with flexibility, shared space and various opportunities for industry collaboration. It is the epicenter of many of the university’s signature research strengths, including climate science, emergency preparedness and cybersecurity. By bringing academia and the business sector together, the building is helping translate new knowledge into innovative solutions to build a more resilient and economically vibrant New York.
A new era of research and teaching
ETEC is specifically designed to bring together scientists, students and entrepreneurs to collaboratively find solutions to society’s greatest challenges. An incredible number of once disparate departments now call the building home—promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. They include the first-in-the-nation’s College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity; the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences; the world-renowned Atmospheric Sciences Research Center; the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, as well as the Department of Chemistry.
Testimonials
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Fully flexible labs are located throughout the building to adapt to new modes and methodologies of teaching. -
Specialized makerspaces encourage entrepreneurial thinking. -
The world-renowned Atmospheric Sciences Research Center has a new space with greater laboratory functionality. -
The building has many specialized spaces including a high-bay boat dock that researchers use to study local waterways.
Students, educators, industry leaders and entrepreneurs are working collectively to solve many of the world’s greatest environmental challenges.
Astounding partnerships with industry
ETEC is designed to offer opportunities for students and faculty to engage with industry in meaningful ways. The UAlbany Innovation Center occupies part of the first floor, offering incubator space for technology companies working in climate and environmental science, biomedical science and biotechnology, cybersecurity and advanced data analytics. The building also houses the Small Business Development Center as well as offices for groups focused on commercialization and technology transfer, and private partners like TruWeather Solutions. Two Entrepreneurs-in-Residence will help guide faculty, researchers and independent entrepreneurs through the early critical steps of ushering their discoveries to market. The National Weather Service is also expanding its ten-year relationship with the university with its offices now located directly in the building.
Energy efficiency
ETEC is one of UAlbany's largest and most energy-efficient buildings and represents a significant milestone in SUNY's commitment to sustainability. Heated and cooled by 190 geothermal wells and powered in part by nearly 4,800 solar panels on UAlbany's Uptown Campus, ETEC is an all-electric facility. It is projected to lower annual energy costs by as much as 70 percent compared to similar baseline buildings.
