Designing the Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building

TLM designed the 120,000 gross-square foot Latimer-Smith Engineering and Science Building in partnership with SmithGroup, a Detroit-based Architectural Design Firm. The building contains engineering, chemistry, physics, computer science and math labs, STEM classrooms, and a makerspace and collaboration center. This state-of-the-art space includes the Departments of Chemistry and Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, the Innovation Center, and other Shared programs. The program also provides space for the Dean’s Suite and the Pre-Professional Health Sciences Program. The Innovation Center comprises a makerspace and wood and metal shop, community projects space and teaming rooms, and an atrium/community room with a café. These spaces are open not only to all students, faculty, and staff members of the campus but also to business and manufacturing partners and members of the Martin and West Tennessee community. These areas allow individuals to share the latest tools and insights related to entrepreneurship to create the next wave of innovators, building lasting economic growth and job creation. Student study spaces serve as informal meeting areas throughout the building. They are around the public areas, department lounges, computer labs, and enclosed quiet study areas. The program dramatically increases the space available for student and faculty research and collaborations.

The building sits on the southeast corner of the UT Martin historic quadrangle. A STEM Courtyard has been carefully designed with landscape architect Ritchie Smith, allowing the inside activities of the building to spill outside through large garage doors that open directly from the labs. Tiered seating built into the hardscape allows for outdoor teaching opportunities. Other exterior STEM learning elements include terrain and elevation changes for a designated robot obstacle course, a benchmark for students to utilize when surveying the quad, and bridge mount support for structural bridge projects to be displayed and tested in a highly visible area. The building and STEM quad will serve as a hinge between the existing quad and what will become a future quad in the overall campus master plan.