Higgins Engineering & Science Complex, Manhattan College

The Higgins Engineering & Science Complex at Manhattan College marks a significant transformation, establishing a new identity and gateway for the institution's vibrant STEM community. Melida Marte, Principal of M Marte Studio, worked with Mitchell Giurgola Architects to provide architectural support. The project seamlessly integrates old and new elements by transforming an obsolete 1940s building into a state-of-the-art science complex.

The project addressed the increased space demands that led the College to acquire several buildings for expansion in the 1970s. The design team's goal was to revitalize the College’s South Campus and strengthen its identity as a hub for science, math, and engineering. By replacing a treeless asphalt parking lot with an L-shaped addition, the architects introduced a new 15,000-square-foot landscaped campus commons. Inside, a monumental, light-filled three-story atrium welcomes visitors, offering views of the new green space and into the labs. This space also houses much-needed state-of-the-art laboratories for specialized engineering disciplines.