Location: FL

Completion Date:

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Case Western Reserve University | Higher Education Innovation

Think[box] represents a shift in how engineering education can feel and function.

At Case Western Reserve University, the goal was not simply to expand lab space — it was to build a culture of collaboration. The university envisioned a highly visible, interdisciplinary environment where students could move seamlessly from lecture to making, from concept to prototype, and from idea to impact.

MKC helped translate that vision into a flexible, innovative-driven facility designed to serve the full engineering community.

A Community of Disciplines

Think[box] supports:

+ Biomedical Engineering

+ Chemical Engineering

+ Civil Engineering

+ Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

+ Macromolecular Science and Engineering

+ Materials Science and Engineering

+ Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

The design balance’s strong disciplinary identity with intentional intersection. Departments remain distinct, while shared environments encourage collaboration when projects demand multiple perspectives.

Supporting Modern Curriculum

Engineering education today requires cross-disciplinary thinking.

Flexible lecture spaces, shared meeting rooms, and coordinated storage solutions allow faculty to co-teach and departments to align curriculum goals. The facility anticipates growth in pedagogy, partnerships, and research complexity. Collaboration is not an exception — it is embedded in the daily rhythm of academic life

The IDEA Center

At the heart of the facility is the IDEA Center — a multidisciplinary hub providing access to:

+ Fabrication tools

+ Rapid prototyping technologies

+ CAD/CAM environments

+ Shared production areas

+ Open project workspaces

Ideas move quickly from whiteboard to physical prototype. Overlapping production zones cultivate interaction between departments, reinforcing a culture of shared innovation.

Transparency throughout the building makes innovation visible — strengthening engagement among students, faculty, and industry partners.

FLOOR PLANS

Design for Impact

Think[box] serves as a highly identifiable headquarters for innovation on campus. The facility communicates the university’s strategic commitment to forward-thinking engineering education while creating a welcoming, active environment for students and collaborators alike.

At MKC, we believe educational environments should do more than house programs — they should advance them. Think[box] stands as a platform for making, mentoring, and multidisciplinary problem-solving — preparing students not just for careers, but for leadership in addressing complex global challenges.