Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Nursing

At the heart of Bowie State University’s campus, the Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Nursing (CNSMN) stands as a landmark in sustainable design and interdisciplinary education. This 149,000-square-foot facility unites the sciences, mathematics, and nursing under one roof, creating an environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and discovery across disciplines.

Designed as a LEED Platinum facility—the university’s highest-performing academic building to date—the center embodies Bowie State’s vision of academic excellence through sustainability and technology. Its signature architectural element, a three-story elliptical atrium known as “The Beacon,” symbolizes transparency, inspiration, and the illumination of learning.

Engineering for Academic Excellence

In partnership with Perkins&Will, Mueller Associates provided comprehensive mechanical and electrical engineering design for this transformative project, which includes instructional and research laboratories, active learning classrooms, and specialized nursing simulation suites.

The building’s systems were designed to deliver high-performance comfort and adaptability while reducing energy use. Chilled beam technology serves as the core of the mechanical design—transferring thermal energy through water instead of air to efficiently heat and cool spaces with minimal energy demand. Dynamic glazing across 15,000 square feet of façade automatically adjusts transparency based on sunlight, reducing solar heat gain and enhancing occupant comfort.

Sustainability and Innovation in Action

The building exemplifies how advanced engineering can achieve measurable sustainability goals without compromising functionality or aesthetics. Key features include:

• Automated dynamic glazing that responds to solar intensity and daylight conditions

• Chilled beam technology to optimize energy transfer and minimize HVAC energy consumption

• Smart shading systems that adjust to temperature and time for improved energy conservation

• Advanced energy management systems for continuous optimization of building performance

A unique highlight is the third-floor research and teaching greenhouse, a living laboratory for environmental science and sustainability. The greenhouse combines passive and active cooling through automated vents, exhaust fans, and evaporative cooling pads, while hydronic unit heaters provide efficient heating in cooler months. Lighting and environmental sensors continuously adjust to maintain ideal conditions for research and teaching.

A Living Laboratory for the Future

The center serves not only as a facility for learning but as a teaching tool itself—where students experience sustainable technologies firsthand. From its energy-efficient systems to its responsive building envelope, every aspect of the design demonstrates how engineering can drive environmental responsibility and academic innovation.

By integrating STEM-H disciplines under one roof, the center enhances Bowie State’s mission to advance educational access, research excellence, and sustainability leadership among Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Read more about Mueller’s work on this project in our newsletter Momentum.