Hughes and Pearson Halls Renovation: Reimaging Science Education

A Vision for Modern Science Education

Hughes and Pearson Halls house Miami University’s Biology and Microbiology departments. Originally designed in an era when biological sciences labs were closed-off and isolated, Hughes and Pearson Halls at Miami University no longer reflected the needs of modern education. Current research and teaching methodologies favor openness, collaboration, and flexibility. Additionally, the equipment needed to conduct research had changed in the 30-plus years since their opening. Miami University partnered with BSA, a leading higher education architecture firm, to reimagine this essential academic facility. Ultimately, Miami University decided on a combined 132,000 square foot multi-phased renovation.

To allow programs to continue operating during renovations of Pearson Hall, BSA developed appropriate “swing space” in Hughes Hall. Science programs temporarily relocated into multi-purpose labs, allowing programs to continue seamlessly while renovations progressed. BSA prioritizes seamless transitions in academic building design, expertly managing complex phased construction to ensure uninterrupted learning and research.

The BSA team introduced extended, movable workbenches and modular desks with multiple functions—hallmarks of modern lab interior design—to make labs easily reconfigurable for future needs. The team placed large pieces of equipment in centralized locations, as well as introduced movable lab casework and overhead utility connections to allow for simple reconfiguration. Additionally, we reimagined classrooms and collaboration zones to foster interaction, ideas, and discoveries.

Reimagining the Heart of the Building

The transformation of Pearson Hall’s central atrium stands as a metaphor for the building’s reinvention. The previously enclosed courtyard became a light-filled gathering place, topped with a dramatic glass pyramid that connects students and faculty to natural light and to one another. The space literally brings people together through a connection to daylight.

The Hughes Hall renovation consisted of 37,000 square feet of renovated space on the second and third floors. Complete with renovated research labs, teaching classrooms and collaboration space, Hughes Hall serves as Miami University’s Biology and Science Engineering departments.

The full project constitutes about two-thirds of the original building. In addition, both phases included major HVAC upgrades. The team converted the VAV system serving the research and teaching classrooms to a chilled beam HVAC system. They also added heat recovery to the hood exhaust system and air handling units to maximize energy savings. Altogether, a chilled beam system, redesigned airflows, and other improvements reduce Pearson Hall’s energy footprint by 50 percent. As a result, Hughes and Pearson Halls attained the LEED Gold certification.

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