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















































































