Born from the 2020 Campus Master Plan and the 2021 Advanced Manufacturing Research Facility Study we conducted for Missouri University of Science and Technology, this project is the inaugural building in a new research and innovation campus. The Missouri Protoplex, spanning 117,475 gross square feet over two stories, embodies Missouri S&T's dedication to innovation and growth. In collaboration with design architects Perkins&Will, we have meticulously crafted a cutting-edge facility that will support Missouri S&T's continuous advancement and ingenuity.
Shape
Deeply rooted in our design process was a commitment to fulfill the project's ambitious goals, fostering innovation, and shaping a facility that will drive entrepreneurship, economic development, and workforce competencies in Missouri and the broader region. We actively engaged with end-user groups and manufacturer partners. We addressed the challenge of balancing openness with security, carefully designing the space to offer visibility and accessibility while ensuring the necessary separation for various processes. Lastly, we considered long-term flexibility by planning utilities and systems to accommodate future technological advancements, allowing for the inevitable replacement of machines with newer technologies.
Inspire
The Missouri Protoplex will serve the three key strategic objectives for Missouri S&T established by their Chancellor, Mo Dehghani: enhancing student recruitment and retention through corporate partnerships, serving as a hub for the state's manufacturing ecosystem, and promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation across campus and throughout Missouri. This new facility signifies a leap forward in integrating manufacturing and technology, fostering collaboration between industry and academia to explore innovative materials, prototype advanced manufacturing processes, enhance workforce skills, and seamlessly integrate cyber-physical manufacturing systems into practical applications.
The equipment and expertise that will be housed in the Protoplex will provide a unique opportunity for manufacturers to learn about new methods and technologies and for students to develop skills that are increasingly critical to their ability to excel.
