Isenberg Innovation Hub

SITE — To the north of the existing Isenberg building, fronting the Fine Arts Center and prominently located on Haigis Mall at the entrance to the UMass Amherst campus, the site is at the intersection of popular cross-campus pedestrian and vehicular pathways.

LOOP BACK — The new building loops around east and links itself back to the existing Isenberg building.

EXTENSION — The new massing extends the existing Isenberg building footprint directly to the north, allowing for circulation connectivity on all levels.

MAIN ENTRANCE AND MULTI-STORY LEARNING COMMONS — The new architecture creates a prominent primary entrance on Presidents Drive, welcoming everyone into the new hub where students will study and where events will be hosted.

REQUIRED SEPARATION — The new building is disengaged from the existing Isenberg by minimum distances in order to maintain the requisite fire separation distance.

DONUT — The new building form completes a circulation loop with two touch points for quick access from any place within the existing Isenberg building.

PULLING THE FACADE — Pulling the corner of the new building out at the northwest highlights the Student Learning Commons and anchors the new building along the directional axes of the campus master plan.

COURTYARD — At the center of the loop is a garden courtyard, providing sunlight and views for programmed areas at the building perimeter, as well as outdoor space for daily repose and special-event gatherings.

NEW ISOM — Within the context of the UMass Amherst campus, this new building has become both a beacon and a destination. The successful integration of exterior and interior spaces activate this corner of the campus and launched Isenberg into the next phases of growth and success.