The FISH Center for the Sciences - Hobart & William Smith Colleges

300 Pulteney, Geneva, NY 14456

Client: Hobart & William Smith Colleges
Suffolk Construction Company

Construction Completion: On-going

Project Services: Survey, Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, 3D Rendering, Permitting and Approvals, and Construction Administration

Project Background

The FISH Center for the Sciences is a new academic building at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY. Costich is working with Suffolk Design and the Colleges to bring this project to life. The four-story building will span approximately 41,000 square feet. Inside, it will house research and teaching labs, instrumentation spaces, and shared commons that connect the sciences to the liberal arts.

A New Home for STEM on the Hobart Quad

The FISH Center for the Sciences will replace Eaton Hall, a 1961 science building with structural issues. The new building sits at the southeast edge of the Hobart Quad along St. Clair Street. Its brick design draws from the historic architecture of the Quad. In addition, a glass connector will link the new center to neighboring science buildings. The project is targeting LEED Silver certification or higher. Construction began in early 2026, and the building is set to open in fall 2027.

Civil Engineering and Site Design

Our team is providing civil engineering, survey, and site development services for the FISH Center. First, we documented existing conditions and completed a subsurface utility investigation. Next, that work shaped the full site, grading, utility, and stormwater design plans. We also prepared phased erosion and sediment control plans. Finally, we coordinated municipal and agency approvals for the project.

Landscape Architecture and 3D Rendering

Costich is also leading landscape architecture for the site. Improvements include new sidewalks, plantings, walkway lighting, and outdoor seating areas. To support design review, we produced 3D site renderings of the finished campus setting. As a result, the design team and campus stakeholders could see how the site ties into the Quad. Together with Suffolk Design and the Colleges, we are creating an accessible, cohesive campus that supports the future of science at HWS.

FAQ

What is the FISH Center for the Sciences?

The FISH Center for the Sciences is a new four-story academic building at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY. It will bring the Colleges’ science programs together with research and teaching labs, instrumentation spaces, and collaborative commons.

Where is the FISH Center for the Sciences located?

The building sits at the southeast edge of the Hobart Quad along St. Clair Street. It replaces Eaton Hall and connects to neighboring science buildings through a glass connector.

What services is Costich providing?

Costich is providing survey, civil engineering, landscape architecture, 3D rendering, permitting and approvals, and construction administration services. This includes site, grading, utility, and stormwater design, along with new walkways, plantings, and site lighting.

How did 3D rendering support the project?

Our 3D site renderings helped the design team and campus stakeholders visualize the finished site. They showed how new walkways, plantings, and gathering spaces would connect the building to the Quad.

When will the FISH Center for the Sciences open?

Construction began in early 2026, and the building is scheduled to open in fall 2027.

Gallery

3D rendering of the FISH Center for the Sciences with a walkway across the Quad lawn leading to a glass entrance connecting the new brick building to Napier Hall — A glass connector links the FISH Center to Napier Hall at the south end of the Hobart Quad.

3D rendering of the FISH Center for the Sciences entrance plaza with students gathering near benches, bike racks, and landscaped planting beds — A landscaped entrance plaza welcomes students to the FISH Center from the Hobart Quad.

3D rendering of a curving walkway between a brick wall and the FISH Center for the Sciences, lined with flowering shrubs, small trees, and lamp posts — A landscaped walkway connects the FISH Center to surrounding buildings in the campus science precinct.

3D rendering of the rear facade of the FISH Center for the Sciences with a glass stair tower, picnic tables, and walkways crossing a green lawn — Outdoor seating and new walkways extend the FISH Center’s collaborative spaces outside.

3D rendering of the full Quad-facing facade of the FISH Center for the Sciences with curved gables, a glass entrance, and a walkway curving across the lawn toward Napier Hall — The FISH Center’s gabled brick facade draws from the historic architecture of the Hobart Quad.

3D rendering of a courtyard beside the FISH Center for the Sciences with students gathered around picnic tables, a walkway lined with flowering plantings, and an arched glass entrance in the background — Courtyard seating and planting beds create outdoor gathering space between campus science buildings.

3D rendering of the FISH Center for the Sciences front elevation facing the Hobart Quad, with students jogging, playing soccer, and talking on the lawn — The FISH Center frames the south edge of the Hobart Quad, an active lawn for students and faculty.

3D rendering of the side of the FISH Center for the Sciences with a walkway, side entrance, and a broad planting bed of groundcover and young trees curving along the lawn edge — Layered plantings soften the building’s edge and guide pedestrians to a secondary entrance.

3D rendering of a garden walkway between the FISH Center for the Sciences and a brick wall, with benches, pink hydrangeas, purple salvia, and young trees — Benches and flowering plantings turn a narrow service corridor into a quiet place to pause.

3D rendering of a walkway along the side of the FISH Center for the Sciences, with evergreen shrubs against the brick wall and a groundcover-planted slope with young trees on the other side — Groundcover and new trees stabilize the slope beside a walkway along the FISH Center.

Additional Information

Learn more about the FISH Center for the Sciences by visiting the Hobart and William Smith Colleges website:
https://www.hws.edu/offices/president/statements/the-fish-center-for-the-sciences.aspx

Read more about how faculty shaped the building’s design in the Pulteney St. Survey:
https://www.hws.edu/alum/pss-spring26/articles/fish-center.html

Learn more about the transition from Eaton Hall to the FISH Center on the Hobart and William Smith Colleges website:
https://www.hws.edu/news/2026/when-the-birds-move-out.aspx

Learn more about state support for the project on the Hobart and William Smith Colleges website:
https://www.hws.edu/news/2025/hws-awarded-5-m.aspx

Read more about the project’s construction timeline on the Finger Lakes Times website:
https://www.fltimes.com/news/hobart-and-william-smith-gets-5-million-state-grant-for-science-building/article_84b9ec14-e66b-4826-bbf3-383df808a811.html