A new, 157,500-square-foot life sciences teaching and research building at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst has been completed.

Boston-based architectural firm Payette recently completed the first building phase of the integrated sciences building, which will expand science teaching and research capabilities on campus.

The building was designed to meet the LEED Silver standard. The first phase, which cost $114.5 million, includes an L-shaped building comprised of a laboratory wing and a classroom wing.

"The integrated science building as designed by Payette captures the goals articulated by many faculty members over several years of planning:  We wanted a building that fostered interaction among different traditional physical and life sciences disciplines, invited collaboration, inspired student interest, offered the best science teaching spaces possible, and retained warmth and beauty while doing all of this," said Lila Gierasch, professor in the Chemistry Department and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Payette was the architect and also provided lab planning, interior design and landscape architecture. The project team also includes Gilbane, construction manager; Vanderweil Engineers, mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineers; Lim Consultants, structural engineers; Nitsch Engineering, civil engineers; Available Light, lighting consultant; and Acentech Inc., acoustics and audiovisual.