Ogden College Hall

The creation of Ogden College Hall transformed the science facilities on Western Kentucky University’s (WKU’s) main campus. A new 82,500 laboratory building, the building was designed to reflect the aesthetic of surrounding campus architecture and features laboratory facilities for chemistry, biology, physics, and astronomy departments. It replaced two aging facilities constructed in the 1960s and 1970s.

In addition, Ogden College Hall houses the dean’s suite, a 300-seat auditorium, and student gathering spaces. Putting science on display was central to the design of this new facility. The building itself—as well as art and exhibits—illustrate the curriculum and the College’s research initiatives to create a showplace for scientific exploration and discovery.

Sustainability and safety join forces in this new 83,000 square foot science laboratory.  By lowering the fume hood stops to 12 inches, adding auto sash closers, and maintaining the volume of air intake by the fume hoods at a constant rate, this building is not only safer for student use but it saves $80,000 per year in energy. This strategy, combined with a highly reflective roof, regional materials selection, and low-emitting finishes, have enabled this innovative building to earn LEED Gold. Focused on occupant health and wellness, the building also earned WELL V2 Gold, making it the first educational laboratory nationwide in this category.