SUNY New Paltz opted for a “treat” on Halloween when they hosted a ground breaking ceremony for their new 19,500-square-foot Engineering Innovation Hub. The academic facility, designed by Urbahn Architecture, will house the new bachelor’s degree program in mechanical engineering, the College’s 3D design and printing program, innovative teaching and research laboratories, and support space.
SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson and other local leaders gathered to celebrate the start of construction on the state-of-the-art facility that, upon completion, will help support the growing engineering programs and promote collaboration between the College and local industry. President Donald Christian noted, “The groundbreaking of our new Engineering Innovation Hub represents a clear example of what we can achieve in the interest of our students and the Hudson Valley region through vision, advocacy, collaboration and perseverance.”
The facility, which is only the second new academic building on the campus in about 20 years, will be built on a current parking lot just a few hundred feet from route 32. The simple but atheistically pleasing facility will be enclosed by a glass fiber reinforced concrete panel system, metal panels, an aluminum frame glass storefront, and architectural and mechanical louvers. A caststone accent band at the base of the building will tie the exterior together.
Construction is scheduled for completion by summer 2019.