Through an engagement with the Dean of the University of Maryland’s School of Engineering and his leadership team, Ballinger developed the program and design for a bioengineering center for teaching and research. The 184,000 SF Clark Hall supports the disciplines involved in health innovation, in the pursuit of enhancing lives through medical advancement.

Clark Hall facilitates world-class research by bringing together students of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, material science, bioengineering, and information technology with a common interest in human health. A working commons promotes spontaneous discussion, while collaboration spaces outside of labs allow for a balance between individual and group work. In addition to flexible classroom and lab spaces, the inclusion of the Leidos Innovation Lab and Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices results in a unique co-mingling of education and entrepreneurship that facilitates the transition of research from the lab to the marketplace.

Clark Hall’s design emphasizes transparency and visibility to create an immersive environment where students are inspired by their predecessors’ and fellow researchers’ work. Even the building’s materials serve to engage students with the applications of various engineering fields. Throughout the facility, mechanical, electrical and plumbing features are exposed to underscore the role that engineers played in its creation. The building also incorporates sustainable design features, such as sun shades and efficient MEP systems, that contribute to the project’s LEED Gold certification.