Isenberg School of Management Business Innovation Hub / Laurian Ghinitoiu
Amherst, MA – The copper-clad Business Innovation Hub at the heart of the University of Massachusetts Amherst has added 70,000sf of hypercollaborative study and social space to one of the top-30 public business schools in the United States.
Designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group and architect of record Goody Clancy, the Business Innovation Hub directly extends the school’s existing 1964 building from the north and east sides in a wide circular loop, linking back on the upper floors to maintain connectivity.
The loop consolidates Isenberg’s faculty and staff under one roof, creating a singular place of arrival and a strong visual identity for the entire school.
Interior space / Laurian Ghinitoiu
The Business Innovation Hub’s exterior is clad in copper, so long-term exposure to the elements will naturally weather the metal from a dark ochre to an enduring patina. With longevity and sustainability in mind, the building also targets LEED Silver certification
Prominently situated on Haigis Mall near the entrance to the campus, a dramatic triangular glass entrance created by a domino-effect greets students. The building exterior is wrapped in straight, vertical pillars that gradually slope downward, creating a distinct appearance without any curved elements.
The new expansion and partial renovation nearly doubles the school’s current space to accommodate Isenberg’s growth in the last decade, while introducing new facilities for more than 150 staff and 5,000 students in undergraduate, master’s and PhD programs.
“The new Business Innovation Hub at the Isenberg School of Management is conceived as an extension of both the building and the campus mall. The linear structure is bent to form a full loop framing an internal courtyard for the life of the students. The façade is pulled away in a domino effect to create a generous invitation from the Haigis Mall to the Learning Commons. The mall and the courtyard, inside and outside, form a forum for the students, the faculty, and the profession to meet, mingle, and mix society and academia,” said Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director, BIG.
