Marine Science Center Closer to Completion [AERIAL PHOTOS]

Construction on a new state-of-the-art $8.3 million marine science center to serve Stony Brook University’s School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at the Stony Brook Southampton campus is moving along.

Since the last update in early March, more siding has been installed, and new infrastructure has cropped up on the roof. And the project has certainly come a long way since an aerial look in December.

The new LEED-certified 15,000-square-foot facility on Old Fort Pond, which connects SoMAS to Shinnecock Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, is adjacent to the current research building. The lab is being developed to support the growth of SoMAS' undergraduate marine and environmental science programs.

A 2,500-square-foot sea water lab will include a computerized circulation system with a titanium heat exchanger to preheat or pre-cool incoming sea water, achieving energy savings while reducing the overall size of the heating and cooling equipment, according to the university. The research center will also include two wet labs, an analytical lab, a classroom, conference room and other lab and support spaces, including an outdoor tank area that will expand the lab resources outside of the building.

The university expects the project will be completed by fall.