Pittsburgh Review

Carnegie Mellon University has broken ground for construction of its Richard King Mellon Hall of Sciences, a 338,900 square-foot building for education, research, art, and creativity unlike any other on its campuses.

Anchoring the corner of Forbes Avenue and Craig Street in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood, the building will enliven a prominent thoroughfare and serve as the new western gateway to the university’s campus. The unique facility will be home to departments from the Mellon College of Science and School of Computer Science, as well as the Institute for Contemporary Art Pittsburgh, creating an atmosphere that facilitates collaboration across disciplines to advance data-driven research and creative inquiry. Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.

University administrators, faculty, staff, and students; elected officials and community partners; and project supporters gathered on Friday, April 12, for the ceremonial groundbreaking event.

"Modern science is at a crossroads, and the future of U.S. innovation is inextricably linked to our nation’s capacity to drive scientific and technological advances," expressed CMU President Farnam Jahanian during the event. He further emphasized, "The Richard King Mellon Hall of Sciences will position Carnegie Mellon University to excel at this crossroads and usher in new levels of collaboration while creating new paradigms for discovery and accelerating our institutional mission of leveraging knowledge for society's gain. We are deeply committed to advancing this vision and grateful to our supporters for their transformation investments in our future."

The construction of the Hall of Sciences has been made possible by significant contributions from various entities. A $75 million lead grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, along with other key commitments, has fueled the development of this groundbreaking project.

"This will be a hub, an intersection, of all the greatness of Carnegie Mellon. The sciences, engineering, computer science and fine arts, intersecting in one place," noted CMU Trustee Ray Lane, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the upcoming facility.

The Hall of Sciences is poised to be a pivotal component of the university’s future of science initiative, aiming to revolutionize and accelerate research and education to benefit humankind. Various departments and institutes will find their new homes in the building, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Veronica Hinman, head of the Department of Biological Sciences, emphasized the significance of the new building, stating, "The new Richard Mellon King Hall of Sciences will allow us to strengthen existing interactions and help us to develop new opportunities to connect and solve these critical problems now and in the future."

Additionally, the Institute for Contemporary Art Pittsburgh will expand its presence within the Hall of Sciences, doubling its exhibition space and contributing further to the global arts and culture conversation.

Elizabeth Chodos, ICA director, highlighted the inclusive nature of the project, stating, "What this building does, in its very conception, is to make the statement that our similarities across fields are stronger, and that they hold more potential, than our differences."

Designed by ZGF Architects, the Hall of Sciences will not only reflect CMU’s identity but also provide cutting-edge facilities for teaching, research, and collaboration. The university aims for Gold LEED Certification, showcasing its commitment to environmental sustainability.

In conclusion, the Richard King Mellon Hall of Sciences symbolizes a new era of collaboration and innovation at Carnegie Mellon University, where various disciplines converge to address complex challenges and drive progress for the betterment of society.