Sustainability has been a key consideration throughout the building design process. We are proud to have received LEED Gold certification for the renovation of this facility. 90% of demolition material was recycle post-build.

Among the sustainable features:

Plate heat recovery system
Automated control of heating/cooling and lighting
Sophisticated fume hood controls
LED lighting
Pollinator garden
Prairie grasses and native perennial in landscaping
Roof-top solar array
Storm water retention system

Learning and mentoring not only take place in the classroom and laboratory settings, but also in less formal spaces such as faculty offices, student study areas, "academic living rooms" and commons areas. The ISC boasts a wide variety of such spaces to study, meet and learn.

Our lab spaces allow us to teach and research in new and unique ways.

Highlights of the project include:

Dedicated labs for both research and teaching, in addition to innovative dual-use "T-search" spaces

Integrated lab write-up spaces

Glass walls in the labs to let in natural light

Classrooms and labs that allow for more active and participatory teaching methods

Classrooms are comfortable, inviting, and flexibly, include state-of-the-art technology. They were intentionally designed to allow optimal sight lines for students to engage with their instructor and peers. 

A primary goal of the ISC redesign is to encourage communication and foster relationships between faculty and students while continually developing interdisciplinary interactions. The concept of "social learning spaces" in embedded in the new design.

The openness of the Integrated Science Center means that everywhere you go, you see activity – whether it’s in the classrooms, labs, study spaces, or the commons. In designing the building, we said we wanted to emphasize ‘learning science by doing science’ and I think we've definitely accomplished that.

Dr. Mark Jensen, Professor on Integrated Science Center