The university says Hewitt Hall, named for longtime UCI supporters George Hewitt and his late wife, Dottie, will expand research on the causes of infectious diseases and disorders of the immune system as well as prevention and treatment.

Carrier Johnson project manager Ernie Valdovinos says the research hall is the third of 11 buildings at UCI's Biomedical Research Center, Hewitt hall is adjacent to Sprague Hall on the university campus. It will house research labs, including facilities for the UCI College of Medicine. Valdovinos says the structure consists of two major components, a laboratory block and a smaller area for offices.

In addition to Hewitt Research Hall, Carrier Johnson provided architectural and design services for the university's recently completed Natural Science Unit 1, as well as Crawford Hall and Croul Hall, which currently are under construction on the campus. Irvine-based Hensel Phelps Construction Co. served as general contractor.