UMass Chan Medical School/UMBA – Paul J. DiMare Center

The new $350 million, 354,000-square-foot Paul J. DiMare Center at UMass Chan Medical School is a cutting-edge facility designed to advance biomedical research and education. Spanning nine floors, the building supports over 70 principal investigators with state-of-the-art core facilities for basic research, translational studies, and clinical trials. Notable features include advanced wet labs, an FDA-compliant manufacturing facility, and a unique two-story staircase that connects a three-season outdoor terrace.

The design emphasizes sustainability and innovation, targeting Net Zero Energy and LEED® Gold certification. It incorporates a groundbreaking geothermal system with 75 boreholes, which supplies 88% of the building’s heating and 50% of its cooling needs, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2,400 tons annually. The building’s exterior features a high-performance curtain wall system, consisting of 1,520 prefabricated sections with three layers of glass, exceeding state building codes for thermal performance by 22%.

The project also excelled in meeting diversity goals, with 21% of the workforce comprising people of color and 8.1% women, surpassing UMBA’s targets. Additionally, nearly $50 million in contracts were awarded to women and minority-owned businesses, exceeding the 13% goal with a final figure of 18.2%.