Stetson University’s new Cici & Hyatt Brown Hall for Health & Innovation, a 40,000-square-foot facility, was designed to honor the university’s legacy while charting a modern path forward. 

The two-story building unites diverse programs under one roof, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration essential for innovation. By integrating STEM, Health Sciences, and Environmental Sciences, the design encourages spontaneous interactions critical for groundbreaking discoveries. The building features active learning classrooms, labs, a teaching kitchen, faculty offices, student study spaces, an outdoor classroom, a greenhouse, and a teaching garden, all designed to facilitate hands-on learning and research.

Strategically oriented to connect with the existing Sage Hall Science Center, Brown Hall forms a synergistic learning complex. A modern glass connector links the buildings, providing views of the teaching garden below and allowing natural light into the interior. The design respects Stetson’s historic character with a brick envelope that blends with the adjacent library while incorporating modern elements like deep overhangs and ceramic frit-insulated glass for UV protection. Interior wood scrims and paneling bring warmth and texture, enhancing the biophilic design.

“The planned strategy of wedging open a double-loaded corridor to form viable spaces of gathering as opposed to just circulation is effectively done.”

Paul Lewis, FAIA (2024 Design Awards Juror)

Varied study spaces, an open staircase, and reconfigurable classrooms promote collaboration and active learning. Sustainability practices, including rainwater collection in the greenhouse, further support Stetson’s vision for an innovative and environmentally conscious campus. As Cici Brown highlighted at the ribbon-cutting, the facility is expected to drive incredible activity and open the door “to a whole new facet of Stetson’s existence”.