By Lindsey Coulter��

�鶹��������(SCN)��was excited to welcome��Tieg Murray��to��the��2026��Editorial Advisory Board.��As��Vice President of Market Strategy and Creative Services for Skanska USA Building,��Murray��leads strategic planning to strengthen market differentiation across core sectors, including education. Over the last 19 years at Skanska, Murray has advanced from Marketing Coordinator to senior leadership roles, driving growth strategies for higher education, K-12,��science��and technology.����

In her time at Skanska,��Murray has seen a lot of evolution across the��education and research world��— and��believes that higher��education��is��in a moment of real transformation.��

“Students’ needs are shifting,��and breakthroughs in science, medicine and technology are happening faster than ever,” Murray said.��“Being part of a team that helps campuses adapt to those changes has made the work deeply meaningful for me.��We’re��not just constructing buildings.��We’re��shaping environments that will support the next generation of students,��researchers��and innovators.”��

SCN spoke with Murry about the evolution of science and research facilities, future��trends��and big projects on the horizon.��

SCN:��What first drew you to the education��sector, and��what’s��kept you��invested��over time?����

Murray:��I’m��drawn to university projects and their ability to shape��the��student��experience and influence the future.��That interest has grown into a real passion for university science facilities��—��their complexity, precision��and the incredible innovation that��happens within those spaces��—��make them my favorite project��type that��Skanska��delivers.��Higher��ed campuses have��a��unique��energy.��They’re��places where ideas take��shape��and communities thrive. Knowing Skanska is trusted to build spaces that will directly support the next generation of researchers, educators and students is what keeps me invested and inspired in the work every day.��

SCN:��Science and research environments have evolved rapidly in recent years.��What’s��been the most significant shift since you began working in this space?����

One of the biggest shifts��is��the evolution of��science and research environments.��Labs were��traditionally built around a single��discipline��with very defined boundaries. Today��… science buildings are intentionally interdisciplinary, more technologically driven and built with flexibility at their core.��They’re��designed to support rapid change, encourage��collaboration��and adapt to research needs we��can’t��even predict.��Watching��this��evolution��makes��the work more exciting��and more challenging.��It’s��reinforced just how critical thoughtful planning and true industry��expertise��have become.��

SCN:��Looking ahead, how do you see education environments��—��particularly science and STEM spaces��—��needing to adapt?����

Over the next five to��10��years, science and STEM environments will need to become even more flexible and��forward-looking. Research is evolving too quickly for buildings to be tied to a single purpose, which makes adaptability essential.��We’re��seeing a strong shift toward spaces that can be reconfigured with ease, support emerging��technologies��and encourage collaboration across disciplines. Open labs, shared��equipment��and��purpose-built��collaboration areas are no longer��“nice to have”��features.��They’re��becoming fundamental to how innovation and learning take place on campuses.��

At the same time, institutions are facing increasing pressure to��operate��more efficiently and more responsibly. Sustainability,��resilience,��and performance are now central considerations in planning and delivering new facilities. Universities are working hard to reduce energy use and manage��long-term��operating costs, all��while supporting��highly complex��research programs.��Skanska is helping campuses meet these demands by delivering high-performing, resilient facilities��that support��cutting-edge��research��while lowering energy consumption and lifecycle��costs.��

SCN:��What projects are you��excited to see come to fruition?����

On the East Coast,��I’m��proud of��what’s��ahead��for��Simmons University with the new Living Learning Center��in Boston��and at the University of Virginia with the Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology��in��Charlottesville. These are the kinds of facilities that will open doors for students��and create��richer learning experiences,��while��giving researchers the spaces they need to push discovery forward.����

On the West Coast,��in Seattle,��the University of Washington’s Magnuson Health Sciences T-Wing Renovation is��a great example��of��how��we’re��helping institutions breathe new life into older facilities so they can keep pace with rapidly evolving scientific needs. Seeing an aging building transformed into a place that supports modern research is��exciting and��rewarding.��

In the��K-12 world, projects like the Beaverton High School Modernization��in Oregon, Rye Ranch Elementary��in Florida,��and the new Arlington High School��in��Massachusetts,��remind me why this work matters so much. These schools will shape the daily experience of younger students,��giving them safe, inspiring,��future��ready spaces where they can learn and grow.��

Ultimately, across��all these regions and project types, what excites me most is how each facility will directly support student success, research advancement, and community impact, and how Skanska continues to be a trusted partner in shaping the future of education.����

Watch for more insights from Murray and other Editorial Advisory Board members��throughout the year.��

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By Daniel Abou-Jaoude

Florida’s school districts are facing unprecedented demand for new school facilities, expansions and renovations. Fueled by steady population growth and shifting demographics, school boards across the state are expanding their educational infrastructure to serve both current students and those expected to enroll in the coming years. Last year, Florida’s K-12 schools had more than 3.2 million students enrolled, with significant increases seen in suburban, urban and rural areas alike. That number is only expected to grow, with recent reports projecting that Florida’s population could increase by 1.4 million people by 2030, further intensifying the need for new and improved school facilities. ��

In some areas, schools are situated in neighborhoods where no land is available for new campuses, forcing districts to prioritize renovations or complete rebuilds. As demand shows no signs of slowing, close collaboration between school districts and experienced construction partners will be essential to delivering the next generation of learning environments across the state.����

Balancing New Construction with Major Renovations����

When aging schools reach the limits of what renovations can achieve, full demolitions and rebuilds often become necessary to provide the kinds of facilities that meet today’s educational standards. Skanska, which has completed more than 160 K-12 projects across Florida over the past 20 years, has seen firsthand how districts must balance preservation with modernization as they plan for long-term growth.����

For example, Newsome High School in Hillsborough County underwent a major transformation through a phased approach that included constructing a new auditorium adjacent to the existing school, followed by a full conversion of the original auditorium into modern classrooms. These types of projects require extensive coordination with school administrators and faculty to minimize disruptions to daily operations.����

Prioritizing Safety on Active Campuses����

Working on active school campuses presents unique challenges that demand careful planning and constant communication. At Buffalo Creek Middle School in Manatee County, Skanska constructed a new two-story media center, converted the former media center into new classrooms and renovated existing facilities while students attended classes nearby. Safety is always the top priority. It is paramount to adhere to safety and security guidelines such as dedicated entry and exit points, and clearly marked separation zones between active construction areas and educational spaces. ��

This ensures students and teachers can continue learning without interruption. At Collins PK-8 in Hillsborough County, construction across six buildings on an active school campus created a complex web of challenges including dewatering an existing pond with 24/7 pumps that exceeded the allowed decibel levels for noise. Through close coordination with school leaders and surrounding neighbors, the firm constructed temporary sound walls to contain the noise and help minimize the impact. Building Strong Partnerships with School Districts Open lines of communication help identify potential challenges before they disrupt project schedules or school operations. Skanska emphasizes the importance of engaging with administrators and curriculum department heads early, hosting site tours for staff and students, and keeping all impacted stakeholders informed. In certain schools, the company issues a community newsletter to keep parents, staff, and neighbors informed about project milestones, potential impacts, and progress throughout the construction timeline. ��

“As the seventh largest school district in the nation, these projects are investments in the future of education across our growing school district,” said Chris Farkas, Deputy Superintendent for Hillsborough County Public Schools. “Maintaining close collaboration with construction partners throughout these complex projects ensures we can deliver future-ready learning environments that reflect the evolving needs of our students and communities.” ��

Learn more about how projects like NeoCity Academy in Ocsceola County prepare students for future academic and professional environments, in the July/August issue of �鶹������.��

Daniel Abou-Jaoude is Vice President for Skanska USA Building.��

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Constructed in 2010, the building was designed to achieve 44 percent more energy and 30 percent more water than code requirements. High-efficiency condensing boilers are used for heating the building, while a comprehensive set of solar panels, both photovoltaic as well as solar thermal sit atop the building’s roof, according to the college.

“Environmental sustainability was integrated into all aspects of the design and construction of Beck Academic Hall and that was very intentional,” said Gustavus Adolphus College President Jack Ohle in a statement. “Gustavus strives to be a leader among colleges and universities when it comes to sustainability practices and taking care of the Earth, so achieving LEED Platinum certification for Beck Hall was a priority.”

Sustainable features of the building include stormwater management, bicycle storage, reduced light pollution, water-efficient landscaping, use of recycled content in building materials, use of low VOC-emitting construction materials, greater use of occupant-controllable lighting and thermal comfort systems, and designated parking spaces for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles. During construction, 75 percent of waste was recycled.

“Beck Hall’s LEED Platinum certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the USGBC, in a statement. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and Beck Hall serves as a prime example with just how much we can accomplish.”

Beck Hall was designed by BWBR Architects and constructed by Kraus-Anderson Construction Company. Both firms are headquartered in St. Paul, Minn.

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