New Academic Building Becomes Indiana’s First WELL Certified Structure
The New Academic Building, opened in the fall of 2021, has earned Silver level WELL v1 Certification for meeting performance requirements regarding features that impact human health and well-being.
Rose-Hulman’s New Academic Building has become Indiana’s first building to earn full WELL Certification for design and technology that enhances the health, wellness and the human experience for the STEM college’s students, faculty, staff and visitors.
The 70,000-square-foot, $29 million building has earned Silver level WELL Certification, a pioneering building program established by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). A third-party certification body for WELL conducted a series of inspections to ensure that the building met all IWBI WELL v1 Certification performance requirements regarding air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind features that impact human health and well-being.
“Earning WELL Certification for our New Academic Building showcases our commitment to implementing sustainability, health and wellness building standards across campus,” said Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons. “This had been a strong commitment from our Board of Trustees and administration when planning the project, the architects and engineers in designing the building, and our facilities staff in working throughout the certification process.”
The president added, “In addition to being a welcome addition, providing much-needed educational spaces on campus, the building has provided our students, faculty, and staff with a healthy environment to work, study and relax. We want our buildings to be functional, economical and beneficial; sustaining all elements of our education mission.”
Opened for the start of the 2021-22 school year, the three-story New Academic Building has , classrooms, , a , and student-faculty collaborative workspaces. These facilities affirm Rose-Hulman’s leadership role in undergraduate science, technology engineering, and mathematics education.
The building’s architect, RATIO Design, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing consulting engineers, R. E. Dimond & Associates, both from Indianapolis, incorporated best practices in design and construction in a people-first approach concerning aspects inside and outside the building. The building’s construction was managed by Garmong Construction Services of Terre Haute. One interesting aspect of the New Academic Building is a center concourse that has an that continuously changes colors through the day and night, reflecting the rhythm of life and the heartbeat of the people within the building.
Rose-Hulman’s Silver level WELL Certification is valid through September of 2025, with yearly review.