The new Florida Polytechnic University project consists of multiple buildings situated on a 171-acre site. The signature architectural piece for the University is the iconic Innovation Science and Technology Building (IST), designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. The IST building serves as a centerpiece for the entire campus. In addition to the IST building, the project included a 20,000-SF student wellness center, a 5,000-SF admissions building and a 5,000-SF campus control center (CCC). The two-story IST building is 160,000-SF of conditioned space, and 300,000-GSF total. The facility contains research and teaching labs, classrooms, offices, study and support spaces, common areas, and a large amphitheater for exhibitions and lectures. The building’s curved roof, which sits on an oval base, is topped by a 250-foot long skylight shading system. The system is composed of 94 custom louvered arms that form an arc shape and rise and lower daily, in harmony with the sun’s path throughout the seasons of the year. The louvered arms also control solar heat gain and interior light, and were designed to contain photovoltaic tape in the future to generate power for operation. A continuous terrace surrounds the building and is shaded by 84 custom aluminum pergolas, which provide outdoor learning, gathering and seating areas. The IST building houses upper and lower division interdisciplinary teaching and research, and has been outfitted with specialized laboratory equipment, computer labs, circuits labs, a media lab and a dedicated room to the HPC and VMware, also known as the Supercomputer.
