Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai’s Futuristic Innovation Center has been named among the 10 Most Unique College Campus Designs in the World by US magazine Newsweek.
The innovation lab was designed to resemble the core of a quantum microchip.
Constructed with a broad theme of interactive learning, RIT’s Dubai Silicon Oasis campus was conceptualized as a bitboard, with the innovation center representing the piece of glass that makes up the entire grid.
Its purpose is to act as a magnet to attract and connect the various functions of the university in a central location.
The building, which is the centerpiece of the university’s new campus at Dubai Silicon Oasis, has been recognized for its creative design with campuses around the world.
The innovation center can accommodate approximately 200 people and has a project development, analysis and testing space.
The center serves as the basis for the university’s research initiatives which include robotics and autonomous vehicles. It also hosts local technology companies.
The president of RIT Dubai, Dr Yousef Al Assaf, said: “The campus is built on four pillars ― innovation, smartness, sustainability and connectivity ― and we needed a signature building with a unique design to help connect these principles.
“The Innovation Center has been set up at the heart of the campus in such a way that all our activities revolve around innovation and this is showcased to the visitors through the unique building design.
“No matter where they are on campus, all students, faculty, and industry partners are constantly moving around the Innovation Center, making it the focal point for all of our work, which is based on sustainability, which is our Embedded in the fabric as RIT.”
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, opened the Innovation Centre in November 2021.
