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August 26, 2020

UNH unveils new $35M tech and innovation building

PHOTO | COURTESY UNH
By Natalie Missakian

University of New Haven students returning to campus this week will be taking science and technology courses in a new $35 million building.

UNH held a virtual grand opening of its 45,000-square-foot Bergami Center for Science, Technology and Innovation on Tuesday evening, a day after the first students began using the new facility.

Named for Samuel S. Bergami Jr. and Lois Bergami, who have been staunch UNH benefactors for decades, the building is located next to the Tagliatela College of Engineering. 

The building, now the largest on campus, features high-tech collaborative classrooms, engineering and science labs, video production studios, a makerspace and an esports training and competition space. 

It aims to become an innovation hub for students across all majors to “learn, create and collaborate with each other,” UNH President Steven H. Kaplan said.

“Most importantly, it will provide even more opportunities for our students to develop the same forward-thinking mindset that Sam [Bergami] has demonstrated throughout his distinguished career,” Kaplan said. “I am grateful for Sam and Lois’ support, which is making this important initiative a reality.”  

Samuel Bergami is the former president of Milford manufacturer Alinabal Holdings Inc., and he founded Saber Electrical Supply and Milford Electrical Contractors in Milford. 

Bergami was also the chief benefactor behind the university’s new Samuel S. Bergami Jr. Cybersecurity Center, which UNH unveiled in February.

The science building was the centerpiece of a major university fundraising campaign over the last four years. The Bergamis along with hundreds of alumni, faculty and staff members donated $20 million toward the cost of the science building, with university capital covering the rest. 

The building will be LEED Gold certified, meaning the design incorporated significant green building elements. These include using regional materials and incorporating natural daylight, rainwater gardens and underground stormwater retention and more, UNH said. 

New Haven-based architectural firm Svigals + Partners designed the building. It was built by Consigli Construction, which has an office in Hartford.

Contact Natalie Missakian at news@newhavenbiz.com

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