Posted on April 3, 2006
UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) dedicated the new Richard C. and Annette N. Shelby Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building on April 3. The building brings together investigators from a wide variety of fields to study important health issues such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases, and conduct bone, bioengineering and brain research.
“This state-of-the-art facility represents those qualities that have propelled UAB – in just over three decades – from a small extension center to a world renowned research university and academic medical center,” said UAB President Carol Z. Garrison, PhD. “UAB scientists are pushing the envelope in our understanding of the most devastating human diseases and investigating novel treatments and cures. This building is tangible evidence of the vital partnership between UAB, Birmingham and the state of Alabama in the pursuit of better health, a stronger economy and higher quality of life for our community and state.”
The Shelby Building will increase research space on campus by 25% and is an integral part of UAB's efforts to continue to grow its research infrastructure. The 12-story facility, with 323,000 square feet of research and office space, was built at a cost of $100 million. Groundbreaking for the project took place on April 29, 2002. Funding for the facility came from the federal government, the State of Alabama, Jefferson County, the City of Birmingham, and the Birmingham-based Community Foundation.
“It is very fitting that this building should bear the name ‘Shelby,’” Garrison said. “Senator Shelby was at the vanguard in securing funding for this project. His efforts at the federal level were the impetus for the state, local and private partnership that is responsible for this building.”
Located on the corner of 19th St. and University Blvd., the neo-classical design building is a commanding presence in the heart of the UAB campus. The building consists of a concrete frame clad with Alabama limestone and brick. One striking feature is a rotunda at the main entrance, also clad with limestone and topped with a copper-roofed dome.
Construction of the interior of the building is being finished in three phases. Phase I, already done, will house immunology and autoimmune diseases research, biomedical engineering and bone/matrix research; and the Interdisciplinary Neurosciences Program, including the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute. The UAB Shared High Resolution Imaging Facility also is located in the building. Phase II should be complete by January. The third phase, which will encompass the Comprehensive Diabetes Center, is scheduled for completion a year from this fall.
CUH2A of Princeton, N.J., was the architectural design firm for the project. LBYD, Inc., of Birmingham, handled structural engineering; and Hoar Construction, also of Birmingham, served as general contractor.
Media Contact:
Bob Shepard
(205) 934-8934
E-mail: bshep@uab.edu