Construction has commenced on a new $118 million science building at Norfolk State University, marking a significant advancement for the institution’s academic facilities. This state-of-the-art, 131,376-square-foot structure is poised to replace the existing Roy A. Woods Science Building and will span four stories to provide cutting-edge resources and spaces.
The building’s comprehensive design will feature laboratory spaces, classrooms, a planetarium, and a greenhouse among its modern amenities. Serving as a new hub for the biology, chemistry, and physics departments, it will also house the Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences. The ground floor will notably include a 150-seat planetarium, a greenhouse, and a maker space, while the upper floors will accommodate modular research and teaching labs complemented by perimeter offices, classrooms, and collaborative study areas.
This innovative facility is designed to inspire and empower students and faculty through its transformative architecture, fostering a collaborative environment to propel academic and community growth. The leadership at Norfolk State University emphasizes that the new building represents a significant step toward enhancing the educational infrastructure and future of the university and its surrounding community.
Projected for completion in fall 2027, the facility will be strategically located along one of the university’s north gates on Corprew Avenue. The architectural vision of the project is realized by Norfolk-based Work Program Architects in collaboration with SmithGroup, with construction managed by Virginia Beach’s S.B. Ballard Construction Co.
