Construction of the life sciences addition to Briggs Hall at the University of California, Davis, begins this month with plans that will provide teaching and research laboratories and support for molecular and cell biology. The 118,000-square-foot, three-story building will be located on the southwest corner of the existing Briggs Hall, north of Hutchison Drive and east of Kleiber Hall Drive. This area features a concentration of facilities supporting biological sciences, including veterinary and medical sciences. Construction of the building is expected to be completed in October 1996. Funding for the $31.8 million building project will come mainly from a state bond measure passed by voters that sets aside revenue for capital construction and renovation projects. The remainder of the funding will be provided by the UC Office of the President and from private donors. The new space will consist of teaching and research laboratories, faculty offices and the biological sciences' division offices, as well as two conference rooms. The Briggs Hall addition will provide the first new facilities for molecular and cellular biology on the general campus in over a quarter of a century. "The addition will enable us to take full advantage of our reorganization by providing space to consolidate the division's programs in molecular and cellular biology," says Mark McNamee, interim dean of the Division of Biological Sciences. "Uniting these programs in a facility designed for modern research will be a tremendous boost to biology on this campus." The proposed addition's features include three levels above ground with a full-size basement. The building is designed in an L-shape that will connect itself to Briggs Hall at the south and west stair towers. The building was designed by the architectural firm of Zimmer, Gunsul, Frasca Partnership of Portland, Ore. The building will be constructed of pre-cast concrete with clay roof tiles on portions of the facility.