The University of St. Thomas’s new Schoenecker Center for STEAM education, now in design, has a unique program, combining science and engineering spaces with liberal arts programs and significant student and faculty collaboration space. It provides more program space for many disciplines, while also changing and enhancing use patterns, gathering points, and circulation on the south campus.

The client and design team developed a number of guiding principles for this STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) project, including Inclusive, Innovative, Adaptable, Connected, and Sustainable. Working with the University and their office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), BWBR developed the Inclusive guiding principle and process and incorporated it into the overall building design. The Sustainable guiding principle is most directly addressed through the pursuit of LEED v4 Gold certification. LEED offers related pilot credits and the project plans to pursue Inclusive Design and Social Equity within the community pilot credits.

Designed in collaboration with design architect, RAMSA, and design-build partner, McGough Construction.