Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering

Univeristy of Maryland Brendan Iribe Center glazing

Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering

The Next Revolution in Computer Science

The Brendan Iribe Center, on the campus of the University of Maryland, is a hub for technology at the heart of a new innovation district that connects high-tech companies, government agencies and institutional colleagues. Bringing together the university's top-ranked Department of Computer Science and its renowned Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, the building’s six floors of specialized labs support groundbreaking research in virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, robotics, computer vision, algorithms and programming languages and systems.

Iribe center sketches

Notable features include:

  • Two main components — a six-story instructional and research space and a 300-person auditorium — joined by connector space that blurs the line between inside and outside, creating a thoughtful academic and research center that links to student life.
  • Materials and details that evoke the University’s Neo-Georgian heritage, including brick finishes on the auditorium and landscape walls.
  • A series of intersecting communities that combine classroom and administrative space with collaboration and research space, creating diverse nodes where students and faculty benefit from linkages across disciplines and projects and from observing and participating in investigation, competition and research.
  • Hacker space and maker space that allows students, faculty and industry and community partners to share knowledge and ideas via workshops, presentations and lectures and to work on projects individually or in collaboration.
  • Virtual and augmented reality labs where students build immersive multimedia experiences and environments that engage the bold new possibilities presented by smartphones, smart glasses and virtual reality devices.
  • Welcoming common areas — including an expansive green space along Baltimore Avenue — that extend the collaborative environment to the broader community.
  • A double-height ground floor has a plethora of opportunities for casual interaction with seating areas, interactive displays, a café and a sculptural staircase that will host activities from job fairs to hack-a-thons.

The project is funded in part by the generosity of Brendan Iribe, co-founder of Oculus VR, to cultivate the next revolution in computer science and bring Silicon Valley to College Park.

Univeristy of Maryland Brendan Iribe Center glazing
Client
University of Maryland
Location

College Park, MD
United States

Size
215,600 sf (20,029 m²)
Subservices
Lighting Design

Awards

Silver Winner (2021)
Educational (Higher Education), Brick in Architecture Awards
Brick Industry Association
Award of Merit (2021)
Illuminating Engineering Society
Certificate of Merit (2021)
Public Spaces, Interior Lighting Design
Illuminating Engineering Society Philadelphia Section
Section Award (2021)
Auditorium, Interior Lighting Design
Illuminating Engineering Society Philadelphia Section
Section Award (2021)
Exterior, Outdoor Lighting Design
Illuminating Engineering Society Philadelphia Section
Merit Award (2019)
American Institute of Architects, New Jersey Chapter
Merit Award (2019)
American Institute of Architects, Virginia Chapter
Craftsmanship Award (2019)
Masonry (Unit Masonry)
Washington Building Congress
Craftsmanship Award (2019)
Doors & Windows (Exterior Glass)
Washington Building Congress
Merit Award (2016)
Unbuilt Category
American Institute of Architects, New Jersey Chapter