PHOENIX — Arizona State University has opened a $185 million state-of-the-art science and technology building at its Polytechnic campus in Mesa.
The 173,194-square-foot building, known as Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (ISTB) Building 12, is the headquarters for ASU’s School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks, which is part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. It is also part of a $250 million investment in the university’s Polytechnic Innovation Zone.
“ISTB 12 provides ASU with advanced lab space for additive manufacturing, robotics and semiconductor research, while being purpose-built to adapt for future technologies,” ASU Vice President for Facilities Development and Management Tim Smith said in a press release Monday. “This flexibility ensures ASU continues to drive innovation and support the East Valley’s growth as a center for advanced industry and opportunity.”
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ASU plans to hold more than 100 classes in ISTB 12 in Mesa
Construction of the facility began in October 2023 and was completed in July. It was designed by international design firm SmithGroup and built by St. Louis-based construction company McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Over its three floors, ISTB 12 contains:
- 128,821 square feet that can be used for office, meeting, instructional, research or collaboration spaces.
- Labs that are specialized for additive manufacturing, robotics, cyber manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing and other manufacturing systems.
- Four classrooms specifically for the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks.
- Three instructional labs.
- A multipurpose classroom that holds 200 people.
The facility opened for students at the start of the fall 2025 semester. Currently, more than 20 classes are being held in the facility with plans to increase that number to more than 50 during the spring 2026 semester and more than 100 each semester after that.
The university said that more than 10,000 students are expected to use ISTB 12’s classrooms, labs and meeting spaces each year.
ASU added that the building was designed to be environmentally friendly, as it features a building-wide chilled beam system, advanced controls and solar-ready infrastructure.
“ISTB 12 has been designed as a flexible, future-ready research environment that reflects ASU’s commitment to innovation and sustainability,” SmithGroup Design Director Mark Kranz said.
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