Florida Poly's iconic IST Building is the cornerstone of life on campus where students
go attend class and labs, hangout, and meet with faculty.
The world-famous Innovation, Science, and Technology (IST) building is Florida Poly’s
primary building located at the heart of the campus. The white-domed IST Building
is a moveable and functional work of art. It features a distinctive louvered roof
system that can move with the sun providing passive lighting inside the second-floor
atrium. The oval-shaped IST Building is ringed by curved metal pergolas that shade
its outer terrace and walkways. The 162,000-square-foot building is home to 26 classrooms,
the Aula Magna auditorium, faculty administrative offices, an 11,000-square-foot Commons
area and 11 innovation labs where students are able to get hands-on experience with
the latest technology.
History
Construction of the building took 28 months and was completed in 2014. World-renowned
Spanish architect Dr. Santiago Calatrava designed the building. Skanska USA was the
lead contractor.
On August 16, 2014 Florida Poly officially opened and welcomed its Inaugural Class.
Florida’s newest state university held a public LAUNCH Celebration to commemorate
its grand opening and the completion of the impressive Innovation, Science, and Technology
(IST) Building.
The Iconic Innovation, Science, and Technology (IST) Building
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Interesting Information
From internationally recognized awards to Florida Poly's student-led comicon event
- here are some interesting facts about the IST Building.
Architectural Awards
The IST Building has garnered 23 regional, national, and international awards including:
2016: The building was ranked one of the 16 “most breathtaking” buildings in the world,
according to asurvey of architects, placing it alongside iconic structures such as the Parthenon in Greece, the Empire
State Building and Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater” residence.
2015: International Architecture Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture
and Design and The European Centre for Architecture
2015: Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS2) Award
2014 Engineering News Record Global Best Project by Engineering News Record
Best Projects: 2014 Project of the Year – Southeast Region, Best Higher Education/Research
by Engineering News Record
2014 Metal Construction News Design Award in Metal Building Systems
2014 Best Innovative Structural Steel Project of the Year by the American Institute
of Steel Construction
Fun Facts
The 162,000-square-foot, white-domed building is a moveable and functional work of
art. The building includes a system of 94 louvered arms that raise and lower throughout
the day providing passive lighting inside the second-floor atrium.
The louvers track the sun above a glass roof.
The oval-shaped building is ringed by curved metal pergolas that shade its outer terrace
and walkways.
The building was the inspiration for the university’s logo which was created in 2017.
Located on the northernmost side of campus, the IST is positioned at the head of five
distinct lakes that serve as the focal point, forming the central backbone of the
entire campus. Two smaller ponds flank each side of the IST surrounding it by water
on all sides.
The state's famed alligators often make casual appearances in the lakes around the
IST. These friendly reptiles become part of the natural charm, creating a unique and
memorable environment. There's one rule...don't feed them!
The IST was featured on the international TV show “How Did They Build That?” on the Smithsonian Channel.
