Purdue University A.A. Potter Engineering Center Renovation Study

Purdue University engaged American Structurepoint to evaluate how the A.A. Potter Engineering Center could accommodate several evolving campus needs within an existing building. The study explored space for the College of Engineering, a Centralized Testing Center, Disability Resource Center, and retail dining while assessing the feasibility, cost, phasing, and structural implications of a comprehensive renovation. American Structurepoint developed programming, schematic plans, cost estimates, sequencing strategies, and renovation scenarios, supported by an assessment of the existing structure, to give Purdue a clear understanding of its options and support informed decisions about the building’s future.

The study examined how Purdue could transform the existing Potter Engineering Center while working within its existing floor slabs and structural framework. American Structurepoint developed schematic-level plans and a building-wide master plan considering how new functions could be organized and implemented in phases. Planning addressed the distinct needs of the College of Engineering, Centralized Testing Center, Disability Resource Center, and retail dining. The team evaluated building systems, food service requirements, probable construction costs, schedule, and sequencing to help Purdue compare the implications of different renovation strategies. A structural conditions assessment provided an additional layer of due diligence. American Structurepoint reviewed existing plans, investigated the building's structural condition in the field, assessed the structural implications of the proposed program, and evaluated the feasibility of relocating the building's elevator. Together, these findings gave Purdue a more complete picture of what the existing building could support before moving forward with a major investment.