Barnes Science Hall Expansion and Renovation

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Franklin College

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Franklin, Indiana

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50,000 SF

The image shows Barnes Science Hall at Franklin College. The building features traditional red brick architecture with a combination of classic and modern design elements. The structure appears to have multiple wings, with a more traditional wing on the left featuring regular windows with white trim and a more contemporary glass-fronted section on the right. The building is set on a well-maintained campus green with manicured lawns, mature trees providing shade, and concrete walkways leading to the entrances. There's a bench visible in the foreground, and a person can be seen walking on one of the paths. Decorative lampposts are positioned along the walkways. The setting is bright and sunny with a blue sky and a few scattered clouds, creating an inviting academic atmosphere. The landscaping around the science building includes small shrubs and green spaces that enhance the collegiate environment.

A secondary view of the contemporary collaborative space in Barnes Science Hall featuring a modern industrial design with exposed ceiling elements and hanging silver pendant lights. The area includes wooden wall panels accented by vibrant vertical moss installations, creating a biophilic element amid concrete columns. Bright blue accent walls add color to the light wood flooring, while glass railings lead to different levels. Bar-height seating is visible on the left, and a person walks down a corridor in the distance, highlighting the open, flowing layout designed for interaction and study.

A contemporary collaborative space in Barnes Science Hall featuring a modern industrial design with exposed ceiling elements and hanging silver pendant lights. The area includes wooden wall panels accented by vibrant vertical moss installations, creating a biophilic element amid concrete columns. Bright blue accent walls add color to the light wood flooring, while glass railings lead to different levels. Bar-height seating is visible on the left, and a person walks down a corridor in the distance, highlighting the open, flowing layout designed for interaction and study.

The image shows a modern educational collaborative space with vibrant blue carpeting and bright lime green chairs. A student studies at a standing-height table on the left, while another person writes on a whiteboard mounted on a wooden accent wall. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide natural light and views of brick campus buildings outside. The space features contemporary furniture including swivel chairs with plastic shells arranged around small tables. A glass-walled corridor runs along the right side where a person is walking. The design combines open study areas with presentation spaces, exemplifying contemporary learning environment design with its mix of collaborative furniture, flexible spaces, and bright accent colors.

The image shows a modern collaborative workspace featuring a small meeting pod with bright blue walls and built-in booth seating. Four young women are seated around a white circular table having a discussion, with one using a laptop. The pod is designed as a semi-private alcove within what appears to be a larger office or educational space, with a flat-screen display mounted on the back wall. The blue booth seating matches the vibrant blue walls, and the space is well-lit with recessed lighting. A person can be seen walking past the pod in the hallway on the right side. The design exemplifies contemporary collaborative spaces found in modern educational facilities.

Modern classroom or collaborative workspace in Barnes Science Hall featuring half-round tables with blue office chairs on wheels arranged throughout a bright space with brown floors. There is a bright blue focal wall with a white board and a human skeleton on display near an instructor's desk. The back of the room has a wall of warm wooden cabinets. The room has recessed lighting and a clean, contemporary educational environment design.

This image shows a courtyard area between sections of the Barnes Science Hall at Franklin College. The structure features traditional red brick architecture with a modern glass section visible on the right side. The courtyard is designed as an outdoor gathering space with concrete paving, several metal tables and chairs where two people can be seen sitting and conversing. The space includes new landscaping with young shrubs, ornamental grasses, and stone elements integrated into the design. The courtyard is surrounded on three sides by the brick building, creating a semi-enclosed outdoor area. The entrance to one section of the building is visible on the right, with what appears to be signage near the doorway. The scene is captured on a bright day with blue skies and some clouds, highlighting the contrast between the traditional red brick sections and the contemporary glass façade.

The expansion and renovation of Barnes Science Hall supports Franklin College’s evolving science curriculum and growing focus on undergraduate research.

As a leading science and technology architecture firm, BSA created flexible lab spaces and large research labs visible from student areas to spark collaboration and interest. As a result, the updated academic building design supports a wide range of student learning styles, including group learning and informal interaction.

This interior architecture approach enhances visibility of science activity, encouraging engagement from both science majors and non-majors. The reimagined space promotes team-based learning, hands-on research, and helps students build skills aligned with real-world market demands. Additionally, increased emphasis on undergraduate research prepares students for lifelong careers. With adaptable, tech-ready spaces, Barnes Science Hall reflects Franklin’s investment in forward-thinking research facility design and innovative higher education architecture.

Finally, key features of the Barnes Science Hall expansion and renovation include:

Learning spaces designed for experiential learning
80-seat collaboratorium for student and community learning opportunities
“Grizzly paw” lab layout emphasizes collaboration and flexibility
40% increase in lab sizes
Large windows maximizing daylighting and campus views
Distributed faculty offices
Dedicated student research labs
Animal research space
Collaborative science courtyard
22,000 SF of new space and 28,000 SF of renovated space

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Disciplines

Architecture, Engineering, Interior Design

Awards

2019 IIDA Indiana IDEA Award: Higher Education, Remodel

Barnes Science Hall Expansion and Renovation

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