Investing in Facilities

New and expanded learning environments are necessary to help the college reach cross-cutting goals in education, teaching and outreach. State-of-the-art facilities also give us the competitive edge when we are recruiting outstanding students and faculty scientists.

The college’s most significant capital project, and university-wide priority, is construction of a new building for the department of agricultural and biosystems engineering. The internationally recognized department is poised to expand its contributions to the bioeconomy, natural resources and environmental science, food safety and security, and animal science.

Curtiss Hall, a century-old building, will be renovated to better serve students by centrally locating career services, study abroad and entrepreneurship programs. Classrooms and the auditorium will be updated with new technology systems and seating to create modern spaces to help students excel in their coursework and extracurricular activities.

A significant portion of the college's efforts center on animal agriculture, as the Department of Animal Science addresses the ever-changing needs of the animal industry. The recent completion of the new dairy farm at the south end of the "Animal Science Corridor" serves as a linkage of proposed and existing operations that promote growth in animal agriculture research and education. The Agriculture Pavilion will anchor the north end of the corridor. This pavilion will be unique to Iowa State, allowing animal-human interaction in teaching laboratories, outreach activities and a variety of functions for current and future students. The all-weather pavilion with its arena, classrooms and animal holding areas will serve a broad array of multi-species teaching and public events.

The existing greenhouse complex at Iowa State was built in 1913 and has remained essentially the same. A new greenhouse complex will provide an environment for faculty and students to conduct innovative research projects that contribute to breakthroughs in improved plant quality and secure food sources, both of which will lead to improved human health. The new state-of-the-art greenhouse complex will include teaching and research greenhouse space, a conservatory with an associated plant collection area, and an expanded headhouse area.