The Lowenthal Hall addition at RIT’s Saunders College of Business expands the college’s footprint by 80%, providing four floors and 38,000 square feet for classrooms, collaboration spaces, lounges, an auditorium, a food venue, offices, and event space with outdoor terraces.

The design honors the original 1970s building by reinterpreting its Modernist detailing and material palette of brick, wood, and concrete, introducing more glass to promote transparency and natural light. A cast concrete stair and balcony reference the existing building’s materiality, while large-format ceramic tiles form a three-story feature wall that orients visitors. The oak tones of the original wood ceiling inspired the linear metal wood-look ceiling in the addition. Exterior phenolic rainscreen panels complement the Modernist palette.

To balance the existing structure’s limited exterior windows, the addition maximizes glazing, creating more natural light and a healthier learning environment. To sustainably counteract the increased sun exposure, ceramic fritted glass, custom louvers, and shading inherent to the building prevent solar heat gain while preserving views of wetlands, athletic fields, and campus thoroughfares. Thoughtful material selection minimizes visual and acoustic distractions.

WELL principles emphasizing movement, acoustics, light, and mental health were integral to the design. Circulation paths on each floor connect levels, clarify wayfinding, and encourage stair use. Acoustic partitions enhance functionality, while strategic sun shading maintains visible light transmittance and natural views. Rooftop patios and proximity to wetlands connect the building to nature.

This project also included renovations to the original building to create more inviting and inspiring spaces for teaching and learning. To bring warmth and adaptability to existing classrooms, exposed concrete masonry unit walls were covered with drywall and painted. Finishes and lighting were updated, and rigid teaching platforms were removed to improve flexibility and accessibility. Classrooms feature multiple teaching walls and reconfigurable furniture, supporting evolving pedagogies and next-generation learning.