In 2021, Missouri S&T embarked on an ambitious project to transform the heart of campus from its gritty, physical plant origins into a pedestrian-focused Arrival District. Envisioning this new primary entry point for visitors, the master plan included a sloping grass oval anchored by the institution’s original structure, the Rolla Building, a four-story brick building built in 1871. The master plan proposed three building sites around the oval, embracing the Rolla Building. The Innovation Lab is the first building accomplished for the district. It establishes an architectural language for the district that is rooted in the university’s origins and its place in the mineral-rich Ozarks region, and that inspires students to solve problems collaboratively through exploration and making.
At 50,000 sf, the design is informed by the institution’s birth as a school of mines committed to the study of metallurgy, geology, and engineering. The clay-colored terra cotta skin distinguishes itself on campus as the first building in the new Arrival District, referencing the clay brick Rolla Building and S&T’s pioneering curriculum in ceramic engineering. The facade bends, folds, and projects to engage the campus, framing views of the Rolla Building from the event hall, terrace, and “sky box” study. The composition of the terra cotta skin is further inspired by late 1800’s vertical projection maps used to navigate mining tunnels. A series of vertical and horizontal lines identify shafts and tunnels connecting concentrations of ore. Likewise, vertical and horizontal lines in terra cotta connect and frame pockets of transparency within the south facade. These pockets highlight nodes of activity where students mine ideas.
Focusing on collaborative learning, study spaces, maker spaces, and active learning, the design places classrooms along a skylit axis that connects a large atrium suitable for drone races, egg drops, and roller coaster competitions.