Carnegie Mellon University

Architectural rendering of new lab space

October 23, 2018

Redesigning the Environmental Engineering Research Space

Inside the Environmental Engineering Labs in Porter Hall, students and faculty explore complex issues essential to the health of our planet, conducting cutting-edge research on treatment, characterization, and remediation strategies for water, soil, sediment, and waste.

The accomplished CEE professors behind that work include professors David Dzombak, Kelvin Gregory, Greg Lowry, Meagan Mauter, and Jeanne VanBriesen. Sharing this space are numerous students completing course projects and supporting faculty research.

Since their last renovation in 1994, these labs have been a place to experiment and learn for approximately 1,000 students, and the work done here has evolved much over those nearly 25 years. To better accommodate today’s and tomorrow’s research—and the equipment it requires—the Environmental Engineering Labs are undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation, with construction starting in January 2019 and the new labs opening in August 2019.

“The updated laboratories will provide a world-class facility where we can continue to make contributions to basic and applied research in environmental engineering and science,” says Lowry, who is closely involved in the facility’s design. “This will also help us remain competitive for funding opportunities in our core research areas and move into new critical areas of research, such as the food-energy-water nexus.”

The renovated labs will feature a bright, open, and flexible space that allows for the easy flow of people, materials, and equipment. Most casework and lab benches will be moveable, and fixed fume hoods will be complemented with overhead equipment that can be adjusted to provide other areas with temporary ventilation.

According to CEE Department Head Dzombak, “Renewing this space will give our students the first-rate facilities they deserve and enable us to continue to attract top faculty and students from around the world.”

To support this important renovation, visit: giving.cmu.edu/waterlab.

Archtectural Rendering
Archtectural Rendering
Archtectural Rendering
Archtectural Rendering
Archtectural Rendering
Archtectural Rendering
Archtectural Rendering
Archtectural Rendering
Archtectural Rendering
Archtectural Rendering