PURDUE - BIOSCIENCE INNOVATION
Academic Building, Hammond Indiana
Purdue Northwest’s first new building in decades occupies a site in the middle of campus, replacing an underutilized parking lot. The project was tasked with “putting the science on display” and functions as a portion of the campus tour path. The building houses Nursing and Lab programs, which are visible from the 3 story lobby that passes through the center of the building.
Glazed interior and exterior walls allow students to see the activity within labs and nursing simulation sweets as they pass through between classes or sit in one of the various lounges
The design aimed to put the building systems on display in alignment with the learning mission of the buildings program. Exposed concrete floors, steel, and mechanical systems are offset by warm touches of wood and pops of vibrant yellow. A winding Perforated steel guardrail follows the stair as it winds up the center connecting all three floors.
