Purdue University Bechtel Innovation Design Center

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Purdue University needed a project-focused environment promoting hands-on learning for the College of Engineering and College of Technology students as they work together on interactive activities such as building solar vehicles and designing energy-efficient housing prototypes. Their goal was to inspire teamwork, originality, problem-solving, and management skills among the engineering and technology disciplines.
 
The newly completed Bechtel Innovation Design Center (BIDC)
• Provides 32,000+ square feet of learning and project-building space for students
• Fosters ‘intellectual collisions’ within and across disciplines
• Prepares students for a dynamic, project-oriented environment they will face in the professional world
 
The BIDC includes high-bay flex space which can be used for a variety of purposes as needs change. Students will also have access to:
• A variety of teaming/collaboration opportunities
• Manufacturing and prototyping labs
• Design studios and 3-D printing areas
• Project assembly and storage space
• A Vehicles Lab including project painting facilities
• A large exterior plaza for constructing and testing projects
• Natural light throughout, including lower level Project Assembly areas
 
Student access to faculty is enhanced with office and administrative space for College of Engineering and College of Technology integrated into the building design. The intentionally transparent environment encourages views of project-building from circulation spaces and teaming areas, as well as visual connection to and from the “Student Success Corridor” (the nickname for street on which the building is located) creating a “see-and-be-seen” environment.
 
Completed in summer 2017, the facility provides state-of-the-art, stimulating learning and doing spaces for students to collaborate on short-term and multi-year “create-design-build-display” activities.