The new gateway to the Rochester Institute of Technology campus showcases a unique approach to student learning and development. Instead of traditional displays of robotics or engineering feats, visitors will find two transparent cubes offering views into various activities. In one cube, actors rehearse theater performances, while students practice dance moves in the other.
Upon entering the $120 million building, visitors will be greeted by a theater located next to glass-walled maker spaces. The maker spaces are filled with a variety of benches and machine tools connected to the ceiling by electrical cords and exhaust hoods. Garage-style doors open to showcase ongoing projects being invented and improved within.
The design of the Student Hall for Exploration and Development encourages collaboration and creativity among students and faculty alike. The open layout and transparent cubes allow for a sense of transparency and connectivity between different disciplines and activities taking place within the building. Visitors passing by are invited to witness the innovation and experimentation happening in real-time.
