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Northern Kentucky University
Griffin Hall Center for Informatics

With first-of-its-kind digital teaching and learning environments, Griffin Hall sets a new precedent for the role of technology on NKU’s campus, and pushes both the aesthetic and functional boundaries of what tomorrow’s learning spaces can be.

  • Location

    • Highland Heights, KY

    Size

    • 134,000 GSF

    Program

    • Digitorium, experiential learning spaces, performance studios, digital labs, A/V studios, green roof

    Practice area

    Certifications

    • LEED Silver Certified

    Awards

    • AGC Build Kentucky Award

A campus showpiece embraces high-tech, cross-disciplinary learning

With little precedent for a building with this mix of programs, the Center for Informatics is unique in providing a space that integrates technology and the arts, allowing it to support technically skilled students with a broad range of other interests and capabilities. Today, Griffin Hall is a vibrant campus facility enriched by state-of-the-art labs and studios, inviting collaboration spaces, and immersive experiential learning environments, including the “Digitorium,” a flexible, tech-rich, two-story space that hosts a range of interactive experience for gaming, simulation, performance, teaching, and research.

The Digital Media Lab opens to the Commons, provoking curiosity and participation.
In the Commons, a variety of flexible and playful furnishings encourage collaboration.
The innovative Digitorium supports interactive teaching, presentations, simulations, and performance experiences.
Various spaces for casual learning, research, and collaboration are located throughout the building.
The glass “wrapper” that encloses the Digitorium has become a beloved and iconic campus feature.
The Digitorium features 285 screen “tiles,” which display cutting edge graphics and video.

Shades of gray to shades of green

Goody Clancy’s design reinforces a defining goal of the University’s master plan: it created a connected, pedestrian-friendly campus by transforming a parking lot into the West Oval, a new green space that is both functional and beautiful. Griffin Hall’s strategic placement, orientation, massing, and choice of materials harmonize with the adjacent Student Union building to form a strong urban edge for the campus, establish the new landscape of West Oval, and prepare the way for a greener, more inviting campus experience for the entire community.

New pedestrian paths create a more accessible and cohesive campus experience.
Site plan of Griffin Hall at NKU
The West Oval provides the campus with much-needed outdoor recreational space, while the southern drop-off serves both the Center and the Student Union.
A green roof hosts a variety of native plants; skylights provide natural light to the Commons below.
Project impact
  • 47

    “Smart spaces,” featuring document cameras, lecture-capture equipment, and flat-panel displays with smart-tech overlays

  • 550

    Student-accessible computers in the digital labs, lounges, classrooms, control rooms, and technology-enhanced learning spaces

Griffin Hall is an astounding state-of-the-art facility that brings together students, faculty, and the community to think, to explore, and to create.
Dr. Kevin KirbyInterim Dean, College of Informatics

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Collaborator

McGill Smith Punshon

Project Team

Acentech

Cosentini Associates

Kohrs Lonneman Heil Engineers

KLH Engineers

Richmond So Engineers

Rickes Associates

Rolf Jensen & Associates

Steven R. McHugh Construction

Theatre Projects

Turner Construction

Vivian Llambi & Associates

Photography

Brad Feinknopf

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