Following a comprehensive feasibility study, design for the Max W & Maileen Brown Family Hall (BHEE) renovation focused on reimagining a nearly 100‑year‑old facility to better support Purdue’s evolving electrical and computer engineering programs. Delivered through a phased renovation approach, the project modernized instructional environments, improved accessibility, and introduced collaborative spaces while preserving the building’s historic character.
The renovation prioritized improved circulation, transparency, and access to natural light. Interior layouts were restructured to move away from double‑loaded corridors, improve wayfinding, and strengthen adjacencies between instructional labs, support spaces, and informal student areas. Expanded instructional labs and reconfigured first‑floor spaces support growing enrollment and contemporary teaching and research needs within the constraints of the existing structure.
Equally important to the project was creating spaces that foster connection. New collaborative and social zones encourage student‑to‑student and student‑to‑faculty interaction, reinforcing a sense of academic community within the historic facility. Accessibility improvements further support inclusive use of the building across programs and users.
Together, the feasibility study and phased renovation transformed BHEE into a transparent, collaborative, and future‑ready learning environment. By modernizing interiors while respecting the building’s legacy, the project extends the life of a historic campus asset and supports the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s academic mission without expanding the building footprint.
The new space features the following:
- Instructional Labs
- Research Labs
- Teaming Studios
- Student Lounges
- Collaborative Learning Spaces
- Graduate Assistant Offices
- HKN Beta Student Lounge
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