Mainebiz Special Editions

V O L . X X X I I N O. X I I § 2 J U N E 1 , 2 0 2 6 20 MEREDA 2025 NOTABLE PROJECTS Harold & Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences PORTLAND T he Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences consolidates the University of New England's health sciences programs, osteopathic medicine, dental medicine, nursing and allied health into a 112,000-square-foot facility on UNE's Portland campus. e project relocates the College of Osteopathic Medicine from Biddeford to Portland, uniting Maine's only medical school with complementary healthcare programs to cre- ate the state's first integrated hub for interprofes- sional education. UNE's vision required more than program- matic consolidation. e building needed to sup- port team-based learning across disciplines while preserving distinct program identities, accredi- tation requirements, and operational workflows. SMRT addressed this through a clear organiza- tional strategy: two interconnected wings linked by a central commons. One wing uses steel framing to serve donor labs, simulation environments, and standardized patient suites; spaces requiring large clear spans, durable finishes, and tightly controlled building systems. e other wing features exposed mass timber construction with glulam beams and CLT decking, creating warm, daylit commons, flex- ible classrooms and collaboration spaces designed to support student wellness and reduce isolation in a high intensity academic environment. is hybrid structural approach advances sus- tainability while delivering measurable performance. Lifecycle assessment validated that the mass tim- ber system significantly reduces structural embod- ied carbon compared to conventional steel fram- ing. High-efficiency building systems, including specialized energy recovery in donor labs, achieve substantial energy use reduction despite energy intensive laboratory programming. e building is designed for a century of service, with durable materials and adaptable infrastructure supporting long-term institutional performance as curricula and healthcare delivery models evolve. e project responds directly to Maine's health- care workforce challenges. By expanding the College of Osteopathic Medicine's capacity and prioritizing interprofessional education, the facility prepares graduates to serve rural and underserved commu- nities across the state. Digital health and telehealth teaching environments reflect Maine's geography, equipping students to deliver care across distance and limited-access areas. As Maine's only indepen- dent medical school physically located in the state, UNE plays a critical role in workforce development, and this facility directly strengthens that pipeline. Site planning reinforces UNE's Portland cam- pus identity while respecting historic Westbrook College context. Building form, scale, and mass- ing strengthen pedestrian connections and create a cohesive campus edge. Transparent ground-floor commons and welcoming entries project an open, civic presence, supporting strong town-gown rela- tionships with adjacent residential neighborhoods. Completed in October 2025 at a total project cost of $93 million, the Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences demonstrates how inte- grated planning and performance-based design can deliver institutional value, environmental steward- ship, and community impact. e building posi- tions UNE to meet Maine's healthcare needs for generations while establishing a model for com- plex, mission-driven facilities that balance pro- gram intensity with occupant wellness and long- term adaptability. P H O T O / R YA N B E N T P H O T O G R A P H Y P H O T O / R YA N B E N T P H O T O G R A P H Y P H O T O / R YA N B E N T P H O T O G R A P H Y P H O T O / B L I N D D O G P H O T O A S S O C I AT E S CLIENT: University of New England GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Ledgewood Inc. ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURAL TEAM: SMRT Architects & Engineers TIMBER FABRICATOR: South County Post & Beam ACOUSTIC SPECIALIST: Acentech SITE DESIGN SPECIALIST: Site Design Associates

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