• April 15, 2019

Grand Opening of UMass Amherst’s ISOM Business Innovation Hub

Grand Opening of UMass Amherst’s ISOM Business Innovation Hub

Grand Opening of UMass Amherst’s ISOM Business Innovation Hub 1024 576 Vantage Technology Consulting Group

On Friday, April 12th, the University of Massachusetts Amherst officially cut the ribbon and opened the doors of the new Business Innovation Hub addition to the Isenberg School of Management. The ribbon-cutting ceremony included remarks by Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy; Victor Woolridge, Chair of the University of Massachusetts Building Authority; and design architect Bjarke Ingels, founding partner of the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG).

(Pictures courtesy of Associate Principal Michael Pincus. Additional interior images are screenshots clipped from the video below)

Designed by the Boston architectural firm Goody Clancy and the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) of New York and Copenhagen, the circular building’s most striking design feature is the series of three-story-tall, copper-clad fins that create a vertical lattice for the glass outer wall.

What’s Special About the New Business Innovation Hub?

The new Business Innovation Hub connects Isenberg’s original 1964 building and the 2004 Alfond Center and creates one unified campus and gathering space for the School of Management. The Business Innovation Hub will be home to Isenberg’s 3,600 undergrad and 1,400 graduate students.

In addition to the stunning exterior, the building features a multi-story learning commons that can be used for large, all-university gatherings and special functions such as the business symposia.

Other key features in new 70,000 square foot building include:

  • A 5,000 square foot student commons
  • 42-seat business analytics lab
  • 3 flexible classrooms with integrated technology
  • Modern workspaces and offices for administration
  • Expanded career development spaces

The new facility anchors the school’s community with a new visual identity and brings all the school’s faculty together in the same location as highlighted in this University video:

What are Students and Faculty Saying About the Business Innovation Hub?

The building opened for classes in January 2019 and impromptu interviews with students reveal unanimous appreciate for the new building and its resources. In an article on the Isenberg website, students gave the new building some love:

  • “The building has brought Isenberg to a whole new level.”
  • “There is so much space and the study rooms and open spaces make it a great place to work, hang out and network.”
  • “It’s open and inviting-a great place to do homework.”
  • “The building is truly student-centric.”

How Did Vantage Contribute to the Project?

Vantage was responsible for all technology-based security systems for the project including components relating to access control, video surveillance, and intrusion detection.

During the concept phase, we issued a report with our recommendations and security systems cost estimates and narratives. In the design phase, we produced drawings to describe the layout of equipment, cabling, rack elevations and other related infrastructure.

Vantage also worked with the University to integrate the systems in this new building with existing campus-wide access control and video surveillance system platforms, ensuring that these systems can be centrally managed and monitored.