As TU celebrates new Science Complex, view its stunning journey to completion

Newest academic building on campus covers 320,000 square feet

By Cody Boteler on September 30, 2021

The Science Commons, inside the new Science Complex — The Science Commons, a massive, multi-story atrium, is the heart of the new Science Complex.

Towson University’s new Science Complex opened earlier this year and is now the campus’s largest academic building–home to dozens of laboratories, classrooms and other learning spaces.

The complex will bolster TU’s nationally recognized STEM programming and will enhance TU’s ability to provide prepared leaders for Maryland’s workforce demands. The Science Complex, which was made possible in part from generous state funding, supports TU’s rapidly growing Fisher College of Science & Mathematics, which has grown by more than 2,000 students since 1997.

The project began in 2018 and will have its public grand opening on Friday, Oct. 1. Classes have already been held inside the new building.

Check out the galleries below for views inside the Science Complex–and a look back at the construction process.

Science Complex groundbreaking — Towson University celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Science Complex across the street, from the top of the Glen Garage, back in 2018. (File photo)

Science complex construction — A photo from early 2018 shows the very early stages of construction. (Photo: Kanji Takeno)

Science Complex construction with cranes — This photo from the summer of 2018 shows cranes up and construction underway. (Photo: Kanji Takeno)

Science Complex construction continued — A photo from early 2019 shows construction well underway. (Photo: Kanji Takeno)

Science Complex construction at night — Another early 2019 photo of the construction shows what the site looked like at night. (Photo: Kanji Takeno)

Science complex detail shot — This photo from a bit earlier in the summer of 2019 shows windows and glass going on the outside of the complex. A close look shows that the greenhouses have not been installed yet, either! (Photo: Kanji Takeno)

Science Complex glass — This photo shows more glass installed on the complex, along with work progressing on the east and west wings of the building, in late summer 2019. (Photo: Kanji Takeno)

Science Complex construction, shows observatory — This photo shows the Science Complex approaching completion, including the observatory dome on top. (Photo: Alex Wright)

West side of the science Complex, including outdoor classroom — This photo from mid 2020 shows the west side of the Science Complex, including the classroom space that leads outdoors to the Glen. (Photo: Alex Wright)

View from the west of the new Science Complex — This external show shows the exterior of the completed Science Complex, complete with the outdoor classroom that leads to the Glen. (Photo: Alex Wright)

Students working in the Science Commons — Students in the fall 2021 term working in the Science Commons. (Photo: Alex Wright)

A professor backlit in the planetarium of the new Science Complex — The planetarium in the new Science Complex is bigger than the one that was in Smith Hall. (Photo: Alex Wright)

Three students in a study area in the new Science Complex — In addition to its classrooms and labs, the new Science Complex features collaborative study and work areas for students. (Photo: Alex Wright)

Students working in the greenhouse on top of the new Science Complex. (Photo: Alex Wright)