Continuing its record on higher education buildings, Skanska USA has been picked to lead construction of the planned Frost Institute of Chemistry and Molecular Science at the University of Miami (UM) at its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida.

The approximately 90,000 sq ft project includes imaging and science research laboratories, administrative and research offices, a lecture hall, a multipurpose gathering space, and associated building support spaces.

It will bring together scientists from several molecular-based disciplines to do collaborative research work, using approaches relying on molecular design, discovery and development.

Designed by Harvard Jolly Architecture, the project is expected to break ground by the end of the year and is slated for completion in summer 2022.

The facility will seek LEED Silver Certification at a minimum, joining other Skanska built projects including the Mercedes-Benz U.S Headquarters and Town of Andover, Bancroft Elementary School.

It will be Skanska’s second project for UM, having built the Patricia Louise Frost Music Studios, which was selected as Project of the Year for the Urban Land Institute’s Vision Awards, in 2015.

Announcing the Frost Institute award, Skanska said spending on education building projects is projected to reach close to $108bn by next year, citing Statista.

Skanska is currently working on the University of South Florida’s (USF) Research Park Mixed Use Lab & Office project in Tampa and recently delivered the USF Health’s Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in downtown Tampa.

Michael C. Brown, executive vice president and general manager of Skanska’s Florida building operations, said: “As a company, we continue to specialise and focus on developing research and academic buildings for universities throughout Florida that will have a positive impact in their local communities and beyond through their work and studies.”