Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Innovation Studio & Messenger Residence Hall

The Innovation Studio at WPI serves as a hub for the university’s project-based STEM education. Designed to foster hands-on, collaborative learning, this five-story, mixed-use facility includes two levels of dedicated project space, featuring high-tech classrooms, robotics labs, maker spaces, business incubators, and a global impacts lab. With flexible collaboration areas and an innovation center, it supports interdisciplinary problem-solving and entrepreneurship. The top three floors are home to a 140-bed residence hall, while the basement houses essential mechanical and storage spaces.

Built on the site of the former Alumni Gym, the project achieved LEED® Gold certification. The project realized a 50% reduction in energy costs through demand-controlled ventilation, ducted fresh air systems, and high-efficiency fixtures. Environmentally conscious materials, such as low-VOC content items, recycled products, and Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood, were prioritized, furthering the university’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.