Not sure if this is a known issue or not (couldnt find any mention of it) but when I reseach Xeno Industrialization, I can only build the basic factory and research building types. Ie I can only upgrade existing buildings. Not sure if this is normal behaviour.
If so, and if I cancel an auto-upgrade on an existing improvement on a colony, I then am able to see the upgraded improvement come up as a direct build option (for that colony only), and dont require to build a basic structure first.
Somethings not right here but Im sure as to what the normal behaviour is..