Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub – Miami University + Butler Tech

Miami University partnered with Butler Tech Career Technical Center to create a seamless pathway from high school to college through a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing workforce hub at the Hamilton Campus. This innovative collaboration lives within the renovated VORA Technical Park and supports Butler Tech’s Mechatronics and Machine Labs as well as the Engineering Technology (ENT) program.

BSA designed the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub to support a cutting-edge partnership between Miami University and Butler Tech Career Technical Center that aims to develop an educated workforce and serve as a catalyst for community economic growth. Working closely with both institutions and industry stakeholders, BSA coordinated the complex planning and integration of specialized equipment, ensuring the facility could support current and future workforce training needs.

Students have access to a variety of distinctive pathways to meet all levels of need in the manufacturing sector—from associate degrees and industry-recognized credentials to Engineering Technology degrees in robotics, electro-mechanical engineering, and more.

Key Features

The renovated space includes a large variety of learning and support environments:

• Specialized lab spaces, including 3D printing and electronics labs, thermal fluids labs, computer labs, metals testing labs, and robotics labs
• Classrooms and instructional areas
• Faculty and administrative offices
• Huddle rooms and collaboration zones
• Commons and circulation spaces

BSA outfitted the labs and instructional areas to reflect modern business and industry standards. The design team carefully evaluated equipment requirements and retrofitted the existing building to accommodate large-scale manufacturing and engineering equipment. This included addressing challenges related to floor-to-floor heights, equipment access and installation through existing building openings, structural reinforcement for heavy equipment, and upgrades to the building’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and IT infrastructure. New rooftop mechanical equipment was also incorporated to support the facility’s advanced systems and performance requirements.

As a result, the workforce hub ensures students are prepared to meet the evolving needs of the manufacturing sector.

Project Summary

• Renovation of a former office building into a high-tech engineering technology facility
• Precision Manufacturing and Engineering Labs, including large-format milling equipment
• Robotics and Engineering Technology Labs
• Extensive coordination of specialized manufacturing and engineering equipment across multiple stakeholders
• Structural enhancements to support heavy equipment loads
• Full interior demolition and installation of new or upgraded systems, including electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and IT infrastructure
• New rooftop mechanical systems to support advanced learning environments

This next-generation advanced manufacturing workforce hub represents a shared vision for advancing technical education, strengthening the talent pipeline in Southwest Ohio, and creating opportunities for students to move seamlessly from education to industry.

View other Learning projects. View other Discovery projects.

Project Contact