Tennessee Tech University Ashraf Islam Engineering Building
Large Project (over 25,000 sf)
The Ashraf Islam Engineering Building at Tennessee Tech University serves as the academic heart of the College of Engineering, designed to showcase every department while fostering collaboration, innovation, and recruitment. At 102,000 square feet, it houses state-of-the-art labs, flexible classrooms, and informal gathering spaces, with exposed systems and interactive elements that transform the building into a living laboratory. Architecturally, it bridges TTU’s Georgian vernacular with contemporary design, reinforcing the college’s identity as a forward-thinking leader in engineering education.
Awards Year | 2025
Project Statement
The Ashraf Islam Engineering Building at Tennessee Tech University was conceived as the academic heart of the College of Engineering—designed to showcase every department within the college and serve as a powerful teaching, recruiting, and marketing tool. At 102,000 square feet, this state-of-the-art facility supports interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning, and student engagement from day one through graduation.
The building includes an array of extensive laboratories, flexible instructional spaces, and active learning environments tailored to modern pedagogical practices. These labs were designed in close collaboration with faculty and a specialized research design consultant to ensure they support both current curriculum needs and future research demands. All engineering students begin their academic journey in this facility, which serves as a common foundation before they transition into specialized project laboratories across campus. A key design goal was to use both the building and the site as instructional tools. Exposed structural and mechanical systems, interactive elements, and visible engineering technologies throughout the facility turn the building itself into a living laboratory—supporting student learning beyond the classroom. Numerous formal and informal spaces for collaboration are integrated throughout, including a prominent three-story atrium that serves as a central gathering and event space. Breakout areas and open lounges throughout the building encourage team-based learning and cross-disciplinary interaction.
Architecturally, the building complements the Georgian vernacular of the TTU campus while abstracting traditional elements into a contemporary expression of engineering and innovation. The design features a formal main entry, vertical circulation towers, and high-performance materials such as electrochromic glass, architectural composite metal panels, dynamic interior glazing, and daylight-responsive lighting controls. These elements not only express the building’s function but also reinforce the College of Engineering’s identity as a forward-thinking academic leader.
Framework for Design Excellence Narrative
# Design for Water
- **Efficient and Appropriate Use** \n A new detention lake is a campus amenity that captures and manages runoff from the entire College of Engineering quadrangle. By slowing and filtering stormwater before it flows downstream, the system ensures water is used wisely, improves quality, and supports learning.
- \*\*Resilience and Reliability \n \*\*The stormwater system is designed to remain functional during heavy rainfall events, reducing the risk of flooding and providing resilience for both the site and the larger campus.
- \*\*Responsible Management \n \*\*Transforming a wet-weather conveyance into a retention pond allows the project to hold, delay, and treat stormwater responsibly, reducing erosion and peak flow impacts while benefiting the broader watershed.
- \*\*Educational and Ecological Benefits \n \*\*The lake serves as an outdoor classroom where students study water quality, security, and aquatic biodiversity to better protect, manage, and utilize water resources from the Upper Cumberland’s well water to global systems. In this way, infrastructure functions as both an ecological asset and an academic resource
# **Design for Discovery**
- **Collaboration and Long-Term Relationships** \n Faculty, administration, and research consultants were deeply engaged in the design process, ensuring that instructional spaces and labs were carefully tailored to current curriculum and adaptable for future needs.
- **Transparency and Performance** \n The building is a teaching tool with exposed systems, visible labs, and interactive elements. Students and faculty can directly observe how the building and the laboratory spaces within perform, promoting shared learning from both successes and challenges.
- **Inspiration and Delight** \n Engineering is placed on display throughout the building—automotive, manufacturing, electronics, mechanical hydraulics, chemical, cyber security, and virtual/augmented reality labs are all represented. Signature spaces, including Baja and Formula competition labs, highlight creativity, while the atrium and informal gathering areas encourage collaboration and spontaneous discovery.
# **Design for Integration**
- **Purpose** \n Conceived as the academic heart of the College of Engineering, the building represents all disciplines and establishes a shared foundation for every student.
- \*\*Connection \n \*\*Light-filled atriums, transparent labs, and views to the quadrangle and retention lake connect people to both the work of engineering and the campus landscape.
- \*\*Legacy \n \*\*As the centerpiece of the college, the building reflects TTU’s commitment to engineering education and serves as a landmark at the emerging campus entry, offering a bold and welcoming statement.
- \*\*Value \n \*\*Flexible labs, adaptable spaces, and sustainable design strategies deliver long-term social, economic, educational, structural and environmental benefits.
LEED/Green Certifications
Price/sq. ft. if provided
595
Photo Captions
2 - View From Intersection of University Dr and Stadium Dr
3 - View from Courtyard
4 - Atrium
5 - Stairwell
6 - Hallway
7 - View Into Lab Below
8 - Vehicle Engineering Lab
9 - Exterior of Projects Lab
10 - Exterior
11 - Masterplan
12 - Site Plan
13 - Storyboard
14 - First Floor Plan
15 - Second and Third Floor Plans
