Kent State’s Design Innovation Hub received an award at the American Institute of Architects Pittsburgh chapter’s annual Design Pittsburgh event in September.
The jury honored the DI Hub with its large honor award for its extensive revitalization of the former School of Art building, which was originally designed by Australian architect John Andrews in 1971. The 78,000 square-foot makerspace, which was designed by the architecture firm Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, features a unique cellular geometry design, ingrained sense of interconnectedness between spaces and naturally lit labs and classrooms. These features stuck out to the jury.
“The fluidity of the overall massing allows for a well-considered pathway for students, and honors the 1970 architecture while bringing it into the now,” read one jury comment. “It has very clear organization for such a large building and thoughtful coordination with all the building systems. We love the section studies and the natural light is fantastic!”
Since its opening in Fall 2021, the DI Hub has served as the university’s central makerspace, operating as a collaborative, “owned by all, shared by all” environment that promotes students, faculty and experts from a diverse range of disciplines to work together. Its commitment to open access for equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters, as well as spaces for robotics, woodworking and metal projects, has helped lead the university to being one of the top 200 maker schools in higher education, according to Newsweek.
J.R. Campbell, executive director of the Design Innovation Initiative, praised the award in a statement:
“Our Design Innovation Team is very pleased with the recognition the Design Innovation Hub has received from the Pittsburgh American Institute of Architects,” he said. “We love the DI Hub design and believe this is a great community platform for hosting a range of challenge-based innovation experiences to support the ‘DI mindset!’”
Read full list of AIA Pittsburgh 2022 Award Winners.