INDIANAPOLIS 鈥� Purdue University has officially released renderings of the soon-to-be-built Academic Success Building, a $187 million facility that will bring classrooms, laboratories, dining, student housing and community-centered spaces to the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2025 and is slated for completion in May 2027. Indianapolis firm Browning Day will serve as the project architect, with support from national firm Perkins & Will. The project鈥檚 construction manager is Shiel Sexton, also of Indianapolis.听

The project marks the first construction endeavor for Purdue University since the institution split from Indiana University in summer 2024 as Purdue University seeks to develop a distinct downtown presence. Plans for the 248,000-square-foot building, which were approved by the University鈥檚 Board of Trustees in June 2024, include 15 stories of new construction, which will be neighbored by five other academic buildings. By bringing an additional facility to the intersection of West and Michigan streets, the University will further establish its presence in the urban core. 听

The new facility will include academic classrooms and laboratories together with housing for 500 students and the dining commons sized to serve 400 people. The futureproofed design anticipates the university鈥檚 evolving educational needs and will offer innovative career-ready programs. The design also incorporates a community element, as project-based learning centers will be included to offer Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEAM) programs for K-12 students.听

鈥淧urdue University in Indianapolis is heavily focused on experiential learning and immersing ourselves into the community,鈥� said David Umulis, senior vice provost Purdue University for Indianapolis, in a statement. 鈥淭he Academic Success Building will create a welcoming arrival to the Indianapolis campus and serve as a thrilling way to provide our students, the Indianapolis area and our partners from around the globe with cutting-edge learning environments, study spaces, residential space and eat-in accommodations all under one roof.鈥�听

The $187 million will be provided through a non-fee replaced debt, with an auxiliary housing dining fund of $105 million, $60 million in capital cash appropriation and $22 million in philanthropic funds. The project is one of multiple major construction initiatives currently underway across Purdue University, including the $73 million Zucrow High-Speed Propulsion Lab, set to debut this month, a new $149 million residence hall that will be completed in August 2026, a $160 million Nursing and Pharmacy Education Building that will open in December 2026, and the $168 million Mitch Daniels School of Business Building, which broke ground in September 2024 and also anticipates an August 2027 completion.听

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INDIANAPOLIS 鈥� Shortly after the visitors are seated in a comfortable banquette with modern art on the wall behind them, Devon, in a brilliant white and wrinkle-free chef鈥檚 jacket professionally greets them, 鈥淕ood morning, welcome to Bernie鈥檚 Place! May I get you a water?鈥�

Bernie鈥檚 Place could be any upscale full service restaurant and Devon could be one of hundreds of experienced full-time servers. But Bernie鈥檚 Place is a food service career training restaurant only 300 feet from the energetic McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology of the MSD of Lawrence Township on the northeast side of Indianapolis; and Devon is a high school student learning to become a professional server.

Bernie鈥檚 Place and Studio 75, the cosmetology education center across the hall from Bernie鈥檚 Place, are the result of intense planning and dreaming by Center Director Frank Svarczkopf. 鈥淏efore Bernie鈥檚 Place, our students served in a small conference room. Our small cosmetology area had to turn away students and customers.鈥�

My company, Indianapolis-headquartered Schmidt Associates, an architectural and engineering firm, was selected to design, manage the project and oversee the renovation. The project was scheduled for an 18-month build out with a $4.3 million budget. The total project included the renovation creating the new dining and kitchen environment for Bernie鈥檚 Place, 7,800 square feet; Studio 75, 9,000 square feet and about 2,000 square feet for security corridor and other shared spaces.

The Technology Center renovation was part of a 21 building district-wide $127 million Blue Ribbon Facilities Plan.

鈥淥ur faculty and staff took the attitude that if we ever wanted to do something, this is the time,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t came out better than we could ever have thought.鈥�

The budget and plan included a new state-of-the-art kitchen, Bernie鈥檚 Place, the Studio 75 cosmetology service area, a larger conference room, several new classrooms and a shared large group instruction center,鈥� Svarckopf said. 鈥淲e want this to be an educational experience where students learn what the business is all about.鈥�

A ceiling-mounted video camera captures food preparation techniques by culinary director Gracie Sahms demonstrating to students every detail on high definition video screens in the kitchen.

On a normal day Bernie鈥檚 Place serves about 115 meals including take-out orders. On that same day, 70 cosmetology students across the hall might be giving hair styles, coloring hair, providing facials, pedicures and manicures to their customers, many of whom come from nearby community centers and a retirement center.

Bernie鈥檚 Place, Studio 75 and the associated areas were especially challenging because we are required to provide professional quality restaurant and cosmetology facilities and assure a productive learning environment for high school students. The two areas鈥� curricula must meet all career and technology education standards.

Both areas must meet standard city and state health, building and sanitation codes.

Svarckopf gave our team these objectives:

1. Security 鈥� first and foremost 鈥� because Bernie鈥檚 Place and Studio 75 would have customers entering from the outside, security systems had to isolate the public spaces from the general school area.
2. Create a teaching environment for the kitchen including internal video support.
3. Create a professional and inviting environment for customers. 鈥淲e depend on the community and the entry area has to be safe and comfortable,鈥� said Svarckopf.
4. The restaurant kitchen and dining area had to meet industrial standards including the structural layout. For example, the doors had to have the unique restaurant swing 鈥� one in, one out. The cosmetology area required special electrical service, ventilation, countertops and walls.
5. Technology had to include internet and Wi-Fi, touch screens and wall sized whiteboards
6. The build out had to find creative cost efficiencies and reuse. For example, the Center and our team found and reused surplused athletic lockers. We also found major cost savings by prepping and repainting walls instead of using wall coverings.
7. Customers and especially senior citizens had to have easy access to Bernie鈥檚 Place and Studio 75. But customers also had to be separated from normal school activities.

Timing And Listening Lead To 鈥淲onderful Result鈥�

鈥淭he timing and budget required close communication between our staff and the Schmidt Associates team,鈥� Svarckopf remembers. 鈥淭he Schmidt Associates team listened. In a typical conversation with our teachers, they would ask 鈥淲hat do you need? What do you want? What can we improve on?鈥� He said the architects and school staff had many meetings in the construction trailer.

After those discussions, he said, Schmidt Associates came back with concepts. Center staff and teachers would discuss the concepts and could agree or not. If not, the Schmidt Associates team came back with alternatives 鈥渁nd always the result was wonderful.鈥�

Interior design was crucial to blend modern restaurant design with Bernie鈥檚 Place customers in mind, and at the same time, be sensitive to security issues in a school. For Studio 75, a calming modern large-scale tree wall design is carried through the space.

Restaurant Continues Operations During Construction

Svarckopf said the project was complicated because the restaurant had to continue to operate during the renovation. We recommended and implemented installing temporary walls and utilities while the new Bernie鈥檚 Place was constructed. We never missed a day of working in the old restaurant while converting to the new restaurant.

Career Training Opportunities Create A Future For Students

Eighty percent of McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology Innovation culinary and cosmetology students find jobs after graduation and stay in their career. Completion of the two year culinary program can lead to opportunities in food service in cafeterias, schools, hotels, fast-food plants, factories, clubs and restaurants. Some students continue to two and four year advanced education, and students can earn dual credits with IVYTech Community College and Vincennes University.

The redesigned and modernized Bernie鈥檚 Place and Studio 75 offer employment opportunities for Lawrence Township Students, but Svarckopf points out it also means more than just a job, 鈥淥ur culinary director Gracie Sahms tells of a student who told her, 鈥淵ou saved my life.鈥�

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The dedication of the听Dr. Richard and Leslie Ridenour Science Center听goes beyond brick and mortar and recognizes the lasting impact of Marian’s 11th President, Dr. Richard Ridenour, and his commitment to creating a space for the innovative education of Marian students.

Upgrading the existing science building provided 17,000 additional square feet and created the opportunity for students to be engaged within state-of-the-art laboratories, research spaces, classrooms and numerous study areas. Designed by Eppstein Uhen Architects, the Ridenour Science Center was supported by the Fond du Lac community, private and corporate donations, and Marian faculty, staff, students and alumni to strengthen higher education within the region.

“The Ridenour Science Center has been transformational to campus, the community, and students and faculty who have been in this new learning and teaching environment. Our continued success in growing, innovating and creating new opportunities for individuals to graduate with a Marian education is a testament to the community we call home,” said听Dr. Andrew Manion, president of Marian University.

The Ridenour Science Center building features include: nine teaching labs; three research labs; three prep rooms; one computer lab; seven classrooms; 18 offices; and two student collaboration areas.

Eppstein Uhen Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) is an architecture firm headquartered in Milwaukee, with offices in Madison, Wis., Des Moines, Iowa, and Denver. 听C.D. Smith Construction has its corporate headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wis., and an office in Milwaukee.

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