University of Massachusetts Amherst Opens Business Innovation Hub

The University of Massachusetts Amherst opened the $62 million Business Innovation Hub in April of 2019. Designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) with Goody Clancy as architect of record, the 72,000-sf project represents an expansion and partial renovation of the Isenberg School of Management. Featuring flexible collaboration and social spaces, the technology-rich circular structure consolidates Isenberg’s faculty and staff in a single location to promote connectivity. The building includes a 5,000-gsf learning commons, innovation labs, classrooms with integrated distance-learning technologies, faculty offices, conference rooms, breakout areas, a business analytics lab, and a career center. LEED Silver sustainable design certification will be sought for the facility, which features extensive copper cladding on the exterior. The project team included acoustical consultant Acentech, landscape architect Towers Golde, HLB Lighting Design, interior designer MoharDesign, elevator consultant Lerch Bates, and engineering consultants Arup, Nitsch, VAV, SGH, and Haley Aldrich.