Construction of the new $29 million, 70,000-square-foot academic building on campus achieved a significant milestone Thursday, Oct. 17, when a steel beam was raised and attached to complete the highest point of the project.

The topping out ceremony had Rose-Hulman President Rob Coons and campus community members joining construction project manager Garmong Construction Services of Terre Haute and steel workers in celebrating this important segment in the project. Additional steel beams will be added in future weeks to complete the building’s infrastructure.

Students, faculty and staff members had the opportunity to sign the steel section on campus earlier this week.

Construction on the project began early this summer on the site, located between Moench Hall and Myers Hall on the east side of campus.

When complete for the 2021-22 school year, the new academic building will have collaboration workspaces, design studios, flexible classrooms, chemistry laboratories and faculty innovation spaces. The building has been designed to support active student engagement through flexible and easily adaptable spaces for student projects and design studios, and breakout space for students and teams to collaborate on projects.

A central atrium and lots of interior and exterior glass will showcase the work taking place within, making it a “window into Rose” that showcases curricular innovation, laboratory activities and teamwork among students, faculty and staff members. Students will also have access to a prototyping laboratory, laser-cutting devices, machine tools and a woodworking shop.

Coons notes that the building “adds an important new dimension to the education we offer our students. It marks a wonderful new addition to our campus.”

The building was designed by RATIO Architects of Indianapolis.

The project is being supported through a $15 million lead gift from an anonymous donor as part of Rose-Hulman’s Mission Driven campaign.

“We are fortunate to have visionary donors who recognize the value of investing in the future of Rose-Hulman and its students,” says Coons.