Renewing the heart of STEM at UCC

University College Cork is progressing plans to renovate the Kane Science Building, a landmark campus facility that has supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and research since 1971.

Serving approximately 1,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students each year, the 13,700 m² building is home to UCC’s School of Chemistry and Department of Physics. It also accommodates around 31,000 scheduled lecture and laboratory visits each week, while functioning as a key route through the main campus.

The proposed renovation will create modern, flexible spaces for teaching and research while upgrading the building’s essential infrastructure. Planned improvements include new superlabs to enable phased refurbishment of existing laboratories; renewed offices, laboratories, central stairs and lifts.

Sustainability is central to the project. Upgrades to the building fabric, mechanical and electrical systems are designed to achieve at least a B2 Building Energy Rating and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by a minimum of 51%. Dedicated energy-efficiency and carbon specialists will work alongside the design team to optimise whole-building performance and minimise both operational and embodied carbon.

The ~€55m project is supported by €25 million in secured Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund funding, with the balance proposed through commercial borrowing. Delivery will be phased to keep this vital, live campus building operational throughout the works. The renewed Kane Science Building will support sustainable science education and research for years to come.

Project Team

Tim Cronin, Interim Director, Buildings & Estates, UCC

Design Team

Current Project Status

The Design Team and consultants were appointed in Q3 2026 and are currently working on the plan to deliver the project.  It is anticipated that a planning application will be submitted and early enabling works will commence in early 2027.