New mechanical engineering building set for generations of innovation

When the Mechanical Engineering Building on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus opened its doors in 1930, sliding chalkboards and concrete floors were among its most innovative features.

Today, more than 270,000 square feet of new and completely renovated space still features concrete floors. This time, however, all of the floors are souped-up to accommodate heavy laboratory instruments-and some of the floors are vibrationally isolated to facilitate delicate, cutting-edge research on a tiny scale that makes minute dust particles look like giant beasts.

Shared by the UW–Madison Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the stately Italian Renaissance-style building recently underwent a $50.5 million construction and renovation project-the only major overhaul since its construction in 1930-that now will give its occupants technological flexibility for years to come. The College of Engineering will dedicate the building Oct. 26 at 9:30 a.m. in a ceremony in the building atrium.

Originally, the Mechanical Engineering Building encircled a machine shop that dates back to 1920. To create a facility for 21st-century engineering in the pre-World War II building, the project contractor, Neenah-based Miron Construction Co., demolished the machine shop and replaced it with a four-story addition for academic and research programs, adding more than 155,000 square feet of space. Then, Miron gutted and renovated the existing building.

The building was constructed during an era in which people valued craftsmanship-the reason the project architectural firm took great care to match the existing materials and compliment its structure and architectural style, says Connie Brachman, special assistant to College of Engineering Dean Paul Peercy who oversaw the project.

"What I really appreciate in this renovation is that they kept the essence and the soul of this building, and simply updated the interior components to be competitive in today’s marketplace," says Harry Steudel, a professor of industrial and systems engineering who chaired the department throughout the planning and construction phases of the building.

The project, funded with about $23 million in state funds and more than $27.5 million in gifts, was a massive undertaking. The new and renovated space features several architectural upgrades, including state-of-the-art ventilation, power and smoke-evacuation systems, as well as central heating and air conditioning.

In addition to engineering upgrades and technology for teaching, the new building includes flexible classroom space, including three large lecture halls and seven smaller classrooms outfitted with multimedia technology. The entire building boasts wireless Internet service. Through these services, students are able to access data resources, consult with experts, and simulate systems for problem-solving, says Patti Brennan, professor and chair of industrial and systems engineering.

A hallmark of the building is its flexible design, with teaching and laboratory spaces that can evolve as the field of engineering evolves. Steudel says that before the construction, the building had so little dynamic space that he often taught his team-based class in the lobby. Now he holds such sessions in the four teaching labs: financial engineering, human factors, simulation, and team dynamics. The rooms are arranged to promote teamwork and creativity, but can be easily redesigned to adapt to changes in industrial and systems engineering. "What we’re doing, in making space available for students that can be quickly repurposed to fit new directions in teaching and research, is essential for schools of engineering," says Brennan.

The building itself is designed to foster interaction and collaboration. Two multistory atria and spacious conference rooms provide places for students and faculty to mingle and work together. Offices lie in close proximity along the remodeled corridors and link faculty and staff with common research interests, including polymers and plastics, robotics, nanotechnology, lithography, health systems, and decision sciences.

"One of the delights of being a faculty member is being around people who aren’t quite in your area, so you can figure out how to collaborate with them," says Nicola Ferrier, associate professor of mechanical engineering. "There are facilities in the building where we can mingle and find out more of what our colleagues are doing."

Flexibility and interaction even were incorporated into the laboratory space. "This is a space that will enable meaningful, cutting-edge research for the next century," says Roxann Engelstad, professor and chair of mechanical engineering. "The building supports the great diversity in research within our department, yet facilitates opportunities for cross-pollination of ideas and projects."

The lab spaces were designed to accommodate future advancements in technology or changes in research directions. The research areas are outfitted with increased power capabilities and a state-of-the-art heating, ventilation and air conditioning system-critical features for research, says Ferrier, who directs the Robotics and Intelligent Systems Laboratory.

Though craftsmanship is evident throughout the new and renovated space, perhaps the most impressive sight is the skylight in the center atrium. Laminated glass panels suspended in an architectural grid depict energy in motion. The artists, Stuart Keeler and Michael Mechnic, created "Driving Force" based on the concept that the research areas within engineering revolve around understanding energy pathways and exploring how to direct them-and that the disciplines housed in the building are working, in different ways, toward that common purpose.

Faculty, staff and students in the two departments are eager to pursue that purpose in their new surroundings. "We have outstanding classroom facilities, research space, good technology-we have an environment where we can be productive people and produce good, quality students," says Steudel. "It’s been a dream come true."