A New Building now Serves as the Academic Heart of Loyola’s Campus

One of the most transformative and consequential projects in Loyola University Maryland’s history, the new Fernandez Center reflects the institution’s commitment to a world-class, career-oriented education. The project encompassed a 35,000-square-foot addition and renovation to the 21,000-square-foot Beatty Hall, which opened in 1922. The center includes interdisciplinary, active-learning classrooms; an “idea lab” with 360 degrees of whiteboards; an expanded career center; an academic loft for creative discussion and learning; a graduate commons; faculty workspaces; and a café.

Mueller Associates carefully integrated the systems in the new addition and within the historic structure of Beatty Hall. Highlights of the MEP design included 100% LED lighting; a new, high-end air handling unit that provides UV light arrays for airstream disinfection and air purification; an innovative bio-wall adjacent to the café; and low-flow sinks and toilets, reducing annual water consumption by 40%. With a design goal of LEED^® Gold certification, the building will be the first on Loyola’s campus to achieve LEED certification.