Progress Updates
September 2025 - HItting the home stretch
Construction on Phase 2 is more than 78% complete with construction as crews have begun installing the glass to the beacon at the south elevation. A bike shelter has been installed at Magee Plaza and the loading dock is complete.
Construction progress includes:
- Above ceiling and in wall mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough ins being installed in level six
- Drywall and MEP rough ins in progress on levels two and three
- Intumescent paint completed level two north connector
- New brick, window frames and metal panels installed on the exterior of the south connector
May 2025 - Past the halfway point
Construction on the Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex (BMEC) Phase 2 is about 60% complete as crews are finished framing level one and are now beginning drywall installation. Significant progress has been made in the basement where concrete has been poured, and framing is starting to go up. Learn and see more on the Building the Future website.
February 2025 - Moving right along
Even though it's cold and wet outside, crews are making great progress!
November 2024 - Topping Off!
On November 20, leaders from the College of Engineering and our partners with Ohio State Facilities Design & Construction, DLR Group & Walsh Construction celebrated a major milestone in the construction of BMEC Phase 2, the Gateway to Engineering, at the corner of Woodruff Ave. & College Rd. Dean Ayanna Howard, Associate Dean Michael Hagenberger and others signed the final beam that will be put in place later this month, signifying the completion of the structural framework of the building, known as "topping off". Faculty, staff and students also had the opportunity to sign later in the day.
For more pics: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7265035564809105410
September 2024 - Nearing 50% completion
Construction is about 45% complete as crews recently finished installing the final concrete piers. The focus is now on ensuring a strong foundation with footers and a foundation wall. Construction on the north and south connectors from Mars G. Fontana Laboratories to MacQuigg Hall is underway and taking shape.
Construction progress includes:
- Crews completed installation of concrete piers.
- Priority walls are going up.
- Level one duct work is beginning.
- Crews are beginning to install hangars and lay out wall studs on second level.
June 2024 - Significant summer progress
Work on the Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex Phase 2 (BMEC) is nearly halfway complete as crews have made substantial progress over the last several months. A buck hoist has been installed and a platform below it is in place to ensure the safety of everyone on site.
Abatement and demolition are complete. Crews are wrapping up the installation of structural piers, which make sure the building is structurally sound. The structural piers are drilled into the ground until they are socketed into bedrock. They’re then connected to the structure with rebar and concrete is poured to completion the foundation.
February 2024 - MacQuigg Lab abatement and Watts Hall demolition
Construction on the Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex – Phase 2, The Gateway to Engineering, is ramping up after beginning in October 2023. Crews are finished with interior abatement and are now focusing on structure and exterior façade demolition.
As crews work to demolish interior small spaces like elevator pits, they’re using a Brokk, which is a demolition robot that eliminates all need for manual demo work. As safety is always top of mind, this allows a user to stand back and control the robot from nearby.
July 2023 - New renderings of Phase Two
The 124,000-square-foot Gateway to Engineering will reinvent how Ohio State inspires and educates future Buckeye engineers, and feature modern, efficient spaces for 21st century teaching and research.
September 2022 - Knowlton Foundation gives 15ドルM to Phase Two
Continuing its namesake’s commitment to education and to his alma mater, the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation has donated 15ドル million to finalize design and construction of The Ohio State University’s Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex (BMEC). The gift will support construction of the second and final phase of BMEC, located on the corner of Woodruff Avenue and College Road. BMEC’s first phase, named Mars G. Fontana Laboratories, was completed in the summer of 2020. Bringing together the departments of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Fontana Labs showcases teaching and research happening in the heart of Ohio State’s Columbus campus, while inspiring life-saving, unprecedented advances in the rapidly growing field of biomaterials.
February 2021 - BMEC Phase Two gets green light
The Ohio State University Board of Trustees authorized the university to enter and increase professional service and construction contracts for the completion of BMEC. Phase One of the Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex—the university’s investment in next-generation materials research, development and experiential learning—was completed in summer 2020. Bringing together the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, Phase One showcases the exceptional teaching and research happening in the heart of Ohio State’s Columbus campus, while inspiring life-saving, unprecedented advances in the rapidly growing field of biomaterials. Read full article.
August 2020 - Mars G. Fontana Labs renovation is complete!
Watch this video to learn more and see inside.
September 2019 - Phase one of BMEC renovation named to honor Mars Fontana
Widely regarded as the father of modern corrosion engineering, Mars Fontana (1910-1988) was one of the world's pioneers in research establishing basic scientific knowledge of the phenomenon of corrosion and its applications in engineering. In addition to his noteworthy technical achievements—including election to the National Academy of Engineering in 1967—Fontana was an outstanding administrator and stimulating teacher. Read full article.
September 15, 2019 - Right on Schedule
Students, staff and faculty gathered on Sunday, September 5, to celebrate the new facility with a hard hat tour through BMEC Phase One— the Mars G. Fontana Laboratories—to learn about the project. These were the first students to tour the facility, which will become their home in autumn 2020.
May 1, 2019 - Signing the Beam!
Students, staff, faculty and leadership of the College of Engineering celebrated a significant milestone in the construction of the Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex by signing the final I-beam to be installed in Phase One. Hundreds of Buckeye Engineers participated in the opportunity, joined by Dean Williams.
November 6, 2018 - The Dean celebrates the Ground Breaking!
College of Engineering Dean David B. Williams was joined by President Drake and Provost McPheron to officially break ground for the Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex!
August 15, 2018 - Construction Begins!
Construction for the Biomedical and Materials Engineering Complex has officially begun! The first visible sign of progress involved the demolition of the former Unit Op Labs, in preparation for the new build facility for Phase One.
