A new high-tech temporary building designed to help the campus accommodate growth while also providing space for fledgling research programs at the University of California, Davis, opens its doors this week. Called Academic Surge because it helps accommodate a surge of growth on campus in the past few years, the $15 million building will count among its tenants the wildlife and fisheries department, education division, various research programs and laboratories from the College of Engineering, and the Institute of Theoretical Dynamics, which focuses on mathematical sciences. The 120,000-square-foot, two-story building is located in the southwestern part of the main campus, near Meyer Hall. Funding for the building was provided mainly through an $11.2 million commercial loan, to be repaid using UC Davis' share of indirect-cost money associated with federal grants and contracts. The remainder of the funding came from the UC Office of the President, the chancellor's discretionary fund, the College of Engineering and private donors. Built in 15 months, the modern building is modeled after similar buildings in private industry -- often found in business parks -- that can be constructed quickly and inexpensively. "Rather than a five-year trailer that will stay on campus for 25 years, we built a building that can be used for 25 years," said Rick Keller, director of facilities planning and capital budgets for the campus. By providing temporary housing for campus departments and programs awaiting space in future buildings, Academic Surge makes it possible to free up space for more classrooms in other parts of campus and allows other departments and programs to expand or relocate. In addition, the new building will serve as a valuable incubator for budding research programs that, if successful, would eventually move on to more permanent quarters. LPA Architects of Sacramento provided the fundamental design that was later modified by staff in the campus architects and engineers office. A sky-lit corridor runs the length of the building from the entrance. Black glass walls and rust-colored cylinders that house elevators are some of the key visual features.