University of New England Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences

University of New England Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences

The Harold and Bibby Alfond Center for Health Sciences is a transformative addition to the University of New England’s Portland campus, uniting the University’s healthcare programs under one roof and anchoring UNE’s new Campus of Health Sciences.

Designed to support interprofessional learning, the 112,000-square-foot building combines simulation labs, flexible classrooms, a digital health innovation center, and student-focused amenities to create a high-performance learning environment. From telehealth and AI to team-based clinical care, the building supports the next generation of healthcare professionals through hands-on, future-ready education.

At the heart of the building, a vibrant commons links two distinct wings, one for clinical learning, the other for academic instruction and student life. Daylighting, warm mass timber, and open collaboration zones bring a strong sense of connection to both the campus and the surrounding community.

The project also reflects UNE’s deep commitment to sustainability. A hybrid structural system and energy recovery strategies help reduce both operational and embodied carbon, supporting long-term performance and wellness.

With this new center, UNE advances its academic mission and helps strengthen education, healthcare delivery, and workforce development across Maine and New England.

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Client
University of New England
Location
Portland, ME
Square Feet
112,000
Completion Year
2025
Awards
MEREDA Notable Projects Awards 2025
A cornerstone for interprofessional healthcare education unites UNE’s Portland Campus through architecture that celebrates collaboration, discovery, and wellness.
  1. Smart Massing
    Organized to support flexible, collaborative, and interdisciplinary learning.
  2. New Quad Connection
    Establishes a vibrant campus heart while linking to the historic core.
  3. Campus Edge
    Defines a clear boundary and welcoming gateway for future growth.
  4. Point of Intersection
    The architecture marks the meeting point between legacy buildings and new growth.
The use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) supports occupant wellness while showcasing the sustainability, efficiency, and natural beauty of mass timber as a renewable resource.
At the intersection of the mass timber student wing and the steel-framed lab wing, dynamic gathering spaces anchor the building. These lounges and collaboration zones embody the union of structure and purpose, encouraging informal connection, quiet reflection, and interdisciplinary exchange.
The Alfond Center reimagines health education through immersive, tech-forward spaces. A lecture hall equipped with 240 individual screens enhances personalized learning. A donor lab filled with natural light encourages reverence and reflection. Clinical skills labs offer views into live surgical procedures, linking theory to practice. Every environment is designed to support experiential, team-based learning across nursing, pharmacy, dental hygiene, and more.
Designed to support interprofessional learning, the building is organized around two distinct yet interconnected wings: one dedicated to hands-on clinical learning with state-of-the-art simulation and skills labs, and the other focused on academic instruction, student life, and faculty workspace. The wings are constructed in contrasting materials, refined steel and warm mass timber, to symbolize the balance between innovation and human-centered care.
Clad in locally sourced brick drawn from the historic campus palette, the Alfond Center bridges tradition and innovation through bold form and precise detailing. As a new academic anchor for UNE’s Portland campus, it grounds health sciences education in place and purpose, while setting the stage for future growth, connection, and discovery.

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