UTEP to build new research facility on campus

The University of Texas at El Paso is making room for a new facility that could change the way faculty and students do research.

Construction for the Interdisciplinary Research Building (IDRB) is expected to happen in early 2017.

A website for the project said the facility “will elevate UTEP’s research and training enterprise to a new level.”

The $85M to build it was approved by the Texas Legislature last year.

President Diana Natalicio said the building will not belong to a certain discipline, instead it will be utilized by all departments and colleges on campus.

The IDRB will provide 150,000 square feet of space to accommodate current research projects and future ones.

UTEP hopes to attract top-tier faculty members, students and research teams as it works towards being a nationally recognized facility.

In 2015, Burges and Barry Halls were demolished to make room for the IDRB. The buildings were part of the UTEP landscape for more than 40 years.

UTEP hired architectural firm Perkins+Will from Houston to begin the design process.

Dr. Natalicio appointed committee members made up of faculty, staff and students to help shape the construction and layout of the building.

A completion date for the IDRB has not been set.

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