Balzer Technology Center

The Engineering and Construction Management Department at John Brown University (JBU) previously comprised 150 students and 12 full-time faculty. Because of program growth in mechanical and electrical engineering and a pilot program in renewable energy, JBU chose to expand facilities to accommodate 300 students and 16 faculty. The university selected Hastings+Chivetta to provide planning and design services for a new facility.

Previously, the engineering and construction management departments were scattered across campus in three buildings and occupying spaces that did not meet programmatic needs.  The new building gives students and faculty spaces tailored to the curriculum requirements of each department. Students have access to hands-on learning in state-of-the-art labs that are in close proximity to study spaces and professors’ offices.

Spaces in the building include: general classrooms, an electronics lab, an optics lab, a renewable energy lab, construction management labs and a high bay structures lab.

Architects carefully sited the building to plan for future development on the surrounding property.