A Lawrence architectural firm has been selected to design the new biosciences research building at the Kansas University Medical Center, scheduled for completion by 2006.

The Research Corporation Board, which is overseeing construction at KU, Kansas State and Wichita State, this week tentatively selected GLPM Architects Inc., 1001 N.H., to design the building at the KU Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan.

The board heard presentations from five architectural firms Monday. Members will meet with GLPM representatives Oct. 10 to sign a contract.

Dale Glenn, principal architect for the project, said the 205,000-square-foot building would be the largest laboratory facility his firm has designed. But it’s similar to other projects GLPM’s architects have done, including Simons Biosciences Research Laboratories, Haworth Hall and Malott Hall at KU.

“Clearly it’s a pretty sophisticated deal,” Glenn said. “A biomedical research center has specific kinds of requirements. Some classroom buildings are sophisticated, but this is a much more complicated building.”

Ed Phillips, vice chancellor for administration at the Medical Center, said his staff had compiled a list of requirements for the new building, which has a total budget of $65 million.

He said Donald Hagen, executive vice chancellor, won a coin flip with KSU officials for KU to be the first university to undergo the architect selection process. The Research Corporation Board will review applicants for the Kansas State project Oct. 10.

Wichita State officials have said they’re not ready to select an architect.

Phillips said KU officials were advocating the board not use the traditional state building process, which involves an architect designing a building, then putting the project out for bids for construction.

Instead, KU would like the state to hire a contractor to work with the architect, which would speed the process and allow for the building to be built in phases. The Legislature included a provision to allow for that type of building process.

Phillips said it could take nine months to a year for design, but that foundation work and construction on the shell of the building could be complete before the entire building was designed.

“We’d like to begin yesterday,” Phillips said. “We really need additional space to grow our research. Basically all our laboratory space is fully occupied. The house is full.”