Walking around Stanford can sometimes feel like walking through a construction zone. Cranes, road closures and “Detour” signs can make it tough to navigate the Farm when you’re running late for class. Do you ever wonder, What are they building? Why is there so much construction on campus?

Rendering of the new graduate housing planned for Escondido Village. (Image credit: Courtesy Korth Sunseri Hagey Architects)

As a major educational and research university, Stanford seeks to keep pace with evolving teaching technologies and research methods, which often means developing new, world-class facilities. Stanford is also striving to meet the growing demand for on-campus housing for its students and employees.

An online interactive map, provided by the Land, Buildings and Real Estate department, details all the construction projects on campus. In addition to showing where the projects are located, the map explains whether a project is a new facility, a renovation or maintenance. The map also lists the date that construction on each project began, and when it is expected to end.

There are 81 construction projects that are either currently in development or scheduled to begin soon. Some are relatively minor, such as the fire alarm replacement project at the Via Ortega parking structure. Others are significant undertakings, such as construction of the Escondido Village Graduate Residences, which is slated to finish in 2020 and is connected to other nearby projects on East Campus.

To keep you informed about construction activities and help you navigate campus safely, the office of Land, Buildings & Real Estate has also developed the HEADS UP campaign. For updates about construction on campus and its impact on the community, you can sign up for the weekly HEADS UP newsletter.

Below are a few of the major construction projects happening on campus now. A complete list of current projects is available here.

THE ANNE T. & ROBERT M. BASS BIOLOGY BUILDING
The laboratory research facility, located on Campus Drive West near the Oval, will support neurobiology, cell biology, ecology and evolution research. In addition to lab space, the four-story building will include offices, administrative and meeting areas, and a small vivarium.

DENNING HOUSE
This new facility overlooking Lake Lagunita will serve as a hub for the Knight-Hennessy Scholars pursuing graduate work in departments across campus. At Denning House, scholars will share ideas and experiences, and host visitors. Eventually it will house an alumni program. The building will feature classrooms; a lounge; meeting, lecture and discussion rooms; and dining space.

ESCONDIDO VILLAGE GRADUATE RESIDENCES
This major project at Campus Drive and Serra Street will include four new residences standing 6- to 10-stories tall and provide 2,431 bed spaces, primarily for single graduate students or couples without children. It will include a market, a café, a pub, huddle rooms, computer clusters, messy art spaces, and indoor and outdoor community spaces. The village is connected to several nearby projects, such as construction of the Serra Road roundabout, the Manzanita Field underground parking garage and utility work.

ARRILLAGA HALL
Located on the east side of Ford Plaza, this building will support the new ergonomic rowing center, house administrative space for the Physical Education and Recreation program and create space for the BeWell program. Arrillaga Hall will also house the Athletics Academic Resource Center, which will include space for study, academic counseling and a computer center.

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATIONS BUILDING
This new facility will help the School of Medicine translate medical research discoveries into treatments and cures. It will have about 215,000 square feet, four above-grade floors with research labs and gathering space, and a basement level. A below-grade tunnel will connect the building to other nearby research facilities.

FROST AMPHITHEATER
The popular concert venue is undergoing a major renovation. When complete, it will have a new stage house with dressing rooms, a green room, a service tunnel to the stage and a pedestrian tunnel with ADA access from the Roth Way entrance.