HGA and IDS Selected to Design Michigan State University’s New Engineering and Digital Innovation Center in East Lansing, Michigan – HGA
The design will create a physical and symbolic gateway to MSU’s digital future.
Acclaimed interdisciplinary design firm HGA was selected to design Michigan State University’s (MSU) new Engineering and Digital Innovation Center in East Lansing, Michigan, with Integrated Design Solutions (IDS) as the architect-of-record. IDS is a fully integrated firm specializing in architecture, engineering, interiors, technology, energy, and sustainability.
The 270,000 square foot building will be located in the central academic district in proximity to the Engineering Building and the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility.
“The new Engineering and Digital Innovation Center will respond to student demand, support economic development in Michigan, and provide research infrastructure for growth at MSU,” said Chris Martin, principal and market sector leader of HGA’s Science + Technology practice. “Together with IDS, we will design a building that will support the emergence of a strong and transformative ecosystem focused on the convergence of digital and physical technologies and research.”
Programming features include active learning classrooms, teaching laboratories, research and instructional project studios, and an Esports competition space. The building will also include experimental and computational research laboratories and flexible modular research units , as well as vibrant community spaces for gathering and collaboration.
“The building will create an energized, innovative, and entrepreneurial community,” said Samir Srouji, HGA’s Design Principal on the Engineering and Digital Innovation Center at MSU. He continued, “The design aims to extend the bucolic character of the core campus north of the Red Cedar River to the south and integrate into the campus fabric physically and academically.”
HGA’s comprehensive research of the computing and digital science revolution and how design can impact transdisciplinary research enabled our team to bring unique insight to the planning and design of the Engineering and Digital Innovation Center. Design professionals from HGA’s Science + Technology Practice and researchers in the Design Insight Group explored how colleges and universities are establishing best practices and success criteria for computational and data science facilities. The findings strongly indicate that data and computer science will continue to transform every academic discipline and sector in society, making transdisciplinary collaboration and the spaces that support it, paramount.
“HGA and IDS were selected for this transformational project based on their research, expertise and cutting-edge academic thinking,” said Michigan State University Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. “Their design process will change how business is completed and will generate a new way of thinking, conducting research and teaching within our university.”
MSU’s Engineering and Digital Innovation Center will:
With inter- and transdisciplinary convergence anticipated across six colleges at MSU, guided by the Office of the Provost and the Office of Research and Innovation, many stakeholders are engaged to help ensure this project’s success.
“Stakeholder engagement is central to HGA and IDS’s programming and design process,” said Carli Cole, principal at HGA. She continued, “Building consensus around the design solution ensures an equitable, diverse, and inclusive process in which positive design outcomes prevail.”
About HGA
HGA is an acclaimed interdisciplinary design firm committed to making a positive, lasting impact for our clients and communities through research-based, holistic solutions. We believe that great design requires a sense of curiosity—forming deep insight into our clients, their contexts, and the human condition. We are a collective of over 1,000 architects, engineers, interior designers, planners, researchers, and strategists, with 13 offices. Our national practice spans multiple markets, including corporate, cultural, education, local and federal government, healthcare, and science and technology. Visit HGA.com or follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
About IDS
Architecture – Engineering – Technology – Interiors. We believe in uncompromising customer service beginning with quality, Integrated Design Solutions for our clients. Our commitment to progressive vision, integrity and leadership is carried through every member of our staff to build on and strengthen our relationships with each other, our clients, and our community.