Building the Future of Advanced Materials Education & Research
Clemson University Advanced Materials Innovation Complex | Clemson, SC
The Advanced Materials Innovation Complex (AMIC) is a new state-of-the-art facility for research teams from the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) and Chemistry. The 4-story, 149,162-sq.-ft. building is the University’s most technologically advanced facility, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary undergraduate education and research and creating strategic collation space to enable the exchange of ideas.
Partners
About the Project
The AMIC was envisioned as a next-generation research hub—one that brings together innovation, collaboration and academic excellence in the heart of an active campus. Delivering this vision required navigating a tight, highly visible site, accommodating complex and customized laboratory environments, and maintaining uninterrupted campus operations.
The program includes:
- Level 1: A 120+ seat auditorium, imaging suites, organic chemistry teaching labs, large classrooms and a central gathering space designed to foster cross-disciplinary interaction.
- Level 2: Materials science laboratories focused on ceramics, along with additional teaching labs, physical, chemical and thermal testing spaces, and imaging and prototyping areas.
- Levels 3 & 4: Open laboratory environments for biology research, chemical synthesis and analytics, supported by sterilizers, utility spaces and offices for faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students.
Designed to achieve 2 Green Globes, the facility features a concrete structural system, electrochromic glass curtainwall and brick façade that aligns with Clemson’s campus aesthetic. DPR self-performed multiple scopes, including concrete foundations and retaining walls, as well as prefabricated exterior framing and drywall panels—enhancing quality control while supporting schedule certainty.
The Challenges
Delivering Highly Technical Laboratory Systems
The facility incorporates 172 laboratory fume hoods, each requiring precise coordination of placement, ventilation and building pressurization to ensure safety and performance.
Navigating a Constrained Campus Site
The project site is surrounded by active campus facilities, including residence halls, operating research buildings, major pedestrian routes and Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. Limited laydown space and constant campus activity required a logistics strategy that could evolve alongside construction.
Preserving Continuous Campus Operations
Maintaining uninterrupted access to adjacent facilities was a non-negotiable requirement for the University, requiring careful sequencing and creative planning. Maintaining access to Sirrine Hall's loading dock, which temporarily housed Clemson's Materials Science program during AMIC construction, was crucial to allow for chemical and material deliveries key to ongoing studies.
Protecting Community Traditions
Located less than half a mile from Memorial Stadium, the project site sits within a key parking zone for Clemson football. Construction needed to coexist with gameday operations without disrupting a cornerstone of campus life.
The
Challenges
Delivering Highly Technical Laboratory Systems
The facility incorporates 172 laboratory fume hoods, each requiring precise coordination of placement, ventilation and building pressurization to ensure safety and performance.
Navigating a Constrained Campus Site
The project site is surrounded by active campus facilities, including residence halls, operating research buildings, major pedestrian routes and Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. Limited laydown space and constant campus activity required a logistics strategy that could evolve alongside construction.
Preserving Continuous Campus Operations
Maintaining uninterrupted access to adjacent facilities was a non-negotiable requirement for the University, requiring careful sequencing and creative planning. Maintaining access to Sirrine Hall's loading dock, which temporarily housed Clemson's Materials Science program during AMIC construction, was crucial to allow for chemical and material deliveries key to ongoing studies.
Protecting Community Traditions
Located less than half a mile from Memorial Stadium, the project site sits within a key parking zone for Clemson football. Construction needed to coexist with gameday operations without disrupting a cornerstone of campus life.
The Solutions
Precision Delivery of Lab Systems
DPR established a dedicated MEP coordination team to support the installation and commissioning of laboratory systems. Through DPR-led daily coordination meetings, the team worked closely with vendors, commissioning agents and test-and-balance engineers to fine-tune air valves, adjust controls sequences and achieve proper building pressurization—keeping installation on track for final completion.
Six-week Enclosure with Prefabrication
Due to the tight site constraints and limited laydown areas, DPR prefabricated the slab-to-slab exterior panels off-site. This allowed the team to dramatically reduce on-site congestion and deliver consistent quality within a controlled environment. The streamlined installation sequence minimized noise and disruption, protecting the learning environment and reinforcing Clemson’s reputation for innovation. Through detailed coordination with the design and engineering teams, DPR refined its slab-to-slab panel strategy, developing new best practices for attachment design, field alignment and Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) interface detailing.
Customizing Labs Through End-User Partnership
Recognizing that research needs evolve beyond design documents, DPR engaged directly with faculty and researchers to understand specific equipment requirements, workflows and utility needs. This hands-on collaboration ensured each lab was tailored to its end users and ready for immediate functionality upon move-in.
DPR also led coordination of the two-month phased move-in process, working with Clemson and a move management consultant to align academic schedules, equipment manufacturers and research timelines—allowing the University to welcome students at the start of the Spring semester.
Proactive Logistics Planning
DPR implemented and continuously refined phased logistics plans to manage deliveries, maintain access and minimize disruption. Just-in-time delivery strategies were supported through daily scheduling in Hammertech, allowing the team to keep the site clear and trade partners productive despite minimal laydown space.
To preserve nearby research operations at Sirrine Hall, DPR proposed and constructed a new temporary loading dock entrance outside the project footprint, ensuring uninterrupted access throughout construction.
Campus Safety and Community Coordination
The team introduced layered fencing, clear signage and controlled access points to protect the thousands of students, faculty and visitors moving through the area daily.
In collaboration with Clemson and IPTAY, DPR reconfigured site parking to maintain football tailgating opportunities—despite this not being part of the original scope. On each home game weekend, the team shut down operations early, secured equipment, cleared materials and reset the site without impacting project progress. This effort preserved 80–90 parking spaces per game during the 2024 season, and 69 spaces per game during the 2025 season.
The
Solutions
Precision Delivery of Lab Systems
DPR established a dedicated MEP coordination team to support the installation and commissioning of laboratory systems. Through DPR-led daily coordination meetings, the team worked closely with vendors, commissioning agents and test-and-balance engineers to fine-tune air valves, adjust controls sequences and achieve proper building pressurization—keeping installation on track for final completion.
Six-week Enclosure with Prefabrication
Due to the tight site constraints and limited laydown areas, DPR prefabricated the slab-to-slab exterior panels off-site. This allowed the team to dramatically reduce on-site congestion and deliver consistent quality within a controlled environment. The streamlined installation sequence minimized noise and disruption, protecting the learning environment and reinforcing Clemson’s reputation for innovation. Through detailed coordination with the design and engineering teams, DPR refined its slab-to-slab panel strategy, developing new best practices for attachment design, field alignment and Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) interface detailing.
Customizing Labs Through End-User Partnership
Recognizing that research needs evolve beyond design documents, DPR engaged directly with faculty and researchers to understand specific equipment requirements, workflows and utility needs. This hands-on collaboration ensured each lab was tailored to its end users and ready for immediate functionality upon move-in.
DPR also led coordination of the two-month phased move-in process, working with Clemson and a move management consultant to align academic schedules, equipment manufacturers and research timelines—allowing the University to welcome students at the start of the Spring semester.
Proactive Logistics Planning
DPR implemented and continuously refined phased logistics plans to manage deliveries, maintain access and minimize disruption. Just-in-time delivery strategies were supported through daily scheduling in Hammertech, allowing the team to keep the site clear and trade partners productive despite minimal laydown space.
To preserve nearby research operations at Sirrine Hall, DPR proposed and constructed a new temporary loading dock entrance outside the project footprint, ensuring uninterrupted access throughout construction.
Campus Safety and Community Coordination
The team introduced layered fencing, clear signage and controlled access points to protect the thousands of students, faculty and visitors moving through the area daily.
In collaboration with Clemson and IPTAY, DPR reconfigured site parking to maintain football tailgating opportunities—despite this not being part of the original scope. On each home game weekend, the team shut down operations early, secured equipment, cleared materials and reset the site without impacting project progress. This effort preserved 80–90 parking spaces per game during the 2024 season, and 69 spaces per game during the 2025 season.
The Results
- A state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research facility delivered safely, on time and ready for immediate use.
- Seamless integration of complex laboratory infrastructure supporting current and future research needs.
- Uninterrupted campus operations throughout construction.
- Preservation of Clemson’s game day experience through collaborative planning.
- A signature facility positioned to attract top faculty, exceptional students, increased research funding and industry partnerships.
The
Results
- A state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research facility delivered safely, on time and ready for immediate use.
- Seamless integration of complex laboratory infrastructure supporting current and future research needs.
- Uninterrupted campus operations throughout construction.
- Preservation of Clemson’s game day experience through collaborative planning.
- A signature facility positioned to attract top faculty, exceptional students, increased research funding and industry partnerships.
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