• Arizona State University expects construction to begin in July on a new 200,000-square-foot ASU Health building in downtown Phoenix, with completion targeted before the fall 2028 semester.��

• A second signature project — the $187 million John S. McCain III Library and Museum in Tempe — is expected to start construction in late spring and finish in fall 2028.��

• Other 2026 work includes a $66 million expansion and renovation of the Polytechnic��campus��Student Union and ASU’s first 3D-printed market-and-shade structure.��

• Additional��projects highlighted include modernization work at the Bateman Physical Sciences Center H-wing and a multiphase renovation at Desert Financial Arena.��

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PHOENIX — Arizona State University is lining up a mix of new builds and renovations in 2026 that university officials say will expand health education capacity, improve student��facilities��and modernize older��academic��and athletics spaces.��

Two of the year’s most prominent projects include a new ASU Health building in downtown Phoenix and the John S. McCain III Library and Museum in Tempe, alongside student-facing upgrades on the Polytechnic and Tempe campuses.��

Construction for the ASU Health building is expected to begin in July and finish before the start of the��fall 2028��semester. The 200,000-square-foot facility in downtown Phoenix is planned to house the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering, the Health Observatory at ASU and the School of Technology for Public Health, according to the university.��

The project budget is about $200 million for construction and equipment, according to Tim Smith, vice president for facilities development management at ASU. “The unique thing about ASU Health is that the med school of the future is not defined.��So��we’re��trying to define that as the train is moving and the tracks are being laid,” he said, according to��.��

Smith also pointed to technology-enabled instruction as a differentiator for the new program. “A lot of it will be tech driven. The augmented reality, virtual��reality��and ways that our students will learn are not the way that most traditional med schools have approached it,” he said, according to��.��

The ASU Health project is paired with an $8 million renovation of the Mercado building on the Downtown Phoenix campus, which the university said will temporarily house ASU Health until the new building opens.��

In Tempe, ASU is also planning the John S. McCain III Library and Museum, dedicated to the legacy of the late U.S. senator and Navy veteran. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in January, and construction on the $187 million project is expected to begin in late spring and finish in fall 2028.��The planned 80,000-square-foot building is set to include an immersive museum, a library, a café, a lecture hall, event space and multipurpose areas for the university and the community.��

On the Polytechnic campus, ASU plans to renovate and expand the Student Union,��roughly doubling��its size. The $66 million effort includes renovating dining and bookstore space and adding lounges,��classrooms��and meeting rooms for student organizations. Work is scheduled to begin this summer and finish next summer.��

ASU also highlighted plans for its first 3D-printed structure: a 1,200-square-foot shade-and-market building next to the ISTB 12 facility that would serve people waiting at the campus shuttle stop. The university said the project is a collaboration with Aramark, ASU’s dining services provider, and does not yet have a timeline.��

Additional��projects outlined include phased modernization of the Bateman Physical Sciences Center H-wing —��a��$115 million effort expected to continue through summer 2028 — and a multiphase, three-year renovation at Desert Financial Arena with completion targeted for December 2029.��

This article is based on reporting originally published by ASU News on Feb. 13, 2026.��

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Inside the 600,000 square foot high school, K-8 and early learning center expansion project��

By Ryan Strandquest and J. David Torbert, AIA����

The developer that created the vision for Florida’s Friendliest Hometown, The Villages, expanded its vision for Central Florida by creating a new community for a younger population called Middleton. Within this new community are three new campuses for The Villages Charter School (TVCS), created specifically for children of qualified employees of The Villages and employment partners. The new campuses include a high school, a K-8 school, an early learning center and a state-of-the-art athletic facility to accommodate the children of this expanding employee base.����

Growing Educational Needs����

TVCS, established in 2000, is a shining example of public charter school success in Florida, earning 19 consecutive “A” grades from the Florida Department of Education and the “Cognia School and Systems of Distinction” award.��

When TVCS needed additional capacity due to an expanding student base, it sought a designer team that could capture its vision, meet the school’s opening deadlines, and design three distinct campuses that fit within the constraints of a new master-planned community. Construction on the final campus components was completed in December 2024.��

The Project Team��

Constructing the extensive project within a community that was also under construction presented a challenge, intensified by the critical need to coordinate with the construction teams for everything from roadways and utilities to residential and community spaces. In addition, TVCS Middleton campus required a focus on student-centered design, sustainability, storm resilience, state-of-the-art features and outdoor learning spaces. As part of this effort, Matern Professional Engineering of Maitland, Fla.—which managed mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire-protection building systems for the project—and architect Schenkel Shultz of Winter Park, Fla., collaborated with The Villages developer and other design and construction partners to create the campuses.����

Led by Schenkel Shultz, the design team envisioned an educational environment that respected the master plan of Middleton while simultaneously planning for TVCS’ growth for decades to come. Matern Professional Engineering prioritized safety, functionality, and resiliency in designing the building systems to ensure lasting functionality.����

A Cutting-Edge Campus����

Inspired by collegiate campuses, the new charter high school epitomizes 21st century learning. Spanning 383,961 square feet, the school includes advanced classrooms, career and technical education programs, cutting-edge technology, flexible learning spaces, and STEM labs tailored for science, business, banking administration, construction, engineering, theater and dance.������

Positioned as a pivotal anchor, the three seamlessly connected campuses create a strong sense of community and a path toward knowledge. The second-story Media Center takes in broad views of the adjacent town center, while incorporating state-of-the-art technology and furniture that caters to college-bound students. The school’s Performing Arts Academy is home to the Tracy Performing Arts Center and the Encore at The Tracy Theater, where both students and community members can enjoy the arts.����

The Athletic Complex serves as a shared space, offering a main gym, annex courts, a wrestling room and a weight room. The campus also features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 4,000-seat football stadium, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, practice fields and a golf putting green. Inside the facility is a main arena with seating for 1,200 guests and two full-length basketball courts, along with an auxiliary gym that can seat 1,100 and accommodate four additional courts. The facility provides an elevated and inclusive environment for athletic events and competitions statewide. Local, state, and national teams utilize the collegiate-grade athletic facilities throughout the seasons, making the campus an athletic destination for Central Florida.����

Modern K-8 Facilities����

In addition to the high school, a compact K-8 school incorporates adaptive and community-centric spaces. The 247,946-square-foot school’s design thoughtfully integrates with the regional surroundings, while fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity, warmth and community-based learning. At the heart of the school lies a cutting-edge hub designed to foster collaboration, with a special emphasis on the liberal arts. This dynamic outdoor space is divided into three distinct areas: Discovery, encouraging exploration and the expansion of knowledge; Collaborative, where teamwork and cooperation thrive; and Fun, celebrating creativity and enjoyment. A multi-functional courtyard is designed to accommodate outdoor dining and community events.������

Five vertical light wells and custom graphics that evolve in sophistication as students move from elementary to middle school enhance the campus. Meanwhile, learning is enhanced by integrating technology in both indoor and outdoor settings, as each classroom is equipped with computers and interactive projector screens to create a dynamic, interactive learning environment. The gymnasium features three full-size courts, allowing for grade separation during athletic events, and includes an elevated stage for performances. With outdoor food-to-table learning gardens and abundant natural daylight, the design prioritizes energy efficiency and locally sourced materials. Low-VOC specifications further contribute to the sustainable ethos of the building.��

To learn more about the project, including the unique Early Childhood Learning Center and the engineering collaboration required to bring the project to life, and the project team, read the .��

Ryan Strandquest is president of Matern Professional Engineering. He can be reached at rstrandquest@matern.net.����

J. David Torbert is a partner at Schenkel Shultz. He can be reached at jdtorbert@schenkelshultz.com.����

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The University of Texas at Arlington—a public research university in the growing Dallas-Fort Worth area—has a student body of more than 41,000, making it the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System. Located in west Fort Worth, UTA West will focus on meeting future educational needs and fostering economic development in the fast-growing region.

“The boldest dreams need a visionary and ambitious team if they are to be realized,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said in a statement. “Between HKS, Hensel Phelps, and UTA, the team we have assembled will ensure UTA West’s development aligns with our strategic plan, supporting our mission of excellence in education, research and community engagement.”

The project team was announced on April 18 and was selected through a competitive process. HKS’ and Hensel Phelps’ focus on sustainable, innovative design and construction were well-aligned with UTA’s mission to create spaces that empower students and strengthen community connections, according to a statement by the university.

John Hall, UTA vice president for administration and economic development, noted in a statement that it was important that the university appoint a design-build team that would respect the natural beauty of the site, establish design standards that would guide future development, and bring proven experience to successfully execute the program and construction documents.

“HKS and Hensel Phelps is certainly that team,” Hall said.

Work on Phase I will begin soon, focusing on developing a primary identity for the campus driven by a landmark building and public space that embraces the surrounding natural environment.

“The needs of students and faculty are shifting at an ever-accelerating pace,” said Leonardo Gonzalez Sangri, global practice director, education, and partner at HKS, in a statement. “Preparing for careers that we can’t yet fully anticipate demands a careful and purposeful approach. We are excited to bring decades of expertise, a passion for innovation and our evidence-based and research-informed approach to collaborate with The University of Texas at Arlington in creating a new campus that meets this challenge and sets a standard for the future of education.”

To date, Hensel Phelps has delivered more than $5 billion in higher education projects, while focusing on safety, quality, schedule and budget control, according to Michael Orlowski, operations manager with Hensel Phelps. This includes numerous projects with The University of Texas System over the last 40 years, providing design-build and construction manager-at-risk services at multiple campuses, including UT Arlington. In total, Hensel Phelps has delivered 46 projects worth over $3 billion, spanning more than 12 million square feet for the System.

“Our years of higher education experience, combined with this attention to client satisfaction, have helped us establish best practices related to campus safety and communication, meeting schedules to align with campus events and engaging multiple stakeholders,” Orlowski said in a statement.

A ceremonial groundbreaking for the new campus took place on April 3, and infrastructure installation will begin later this year. More significant development will commence in 2026, and the new campus should welcome its first students as early as fall 2028 and will eventually aim to serve more than 10,000 students.

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