Herbert Wertheim Laboratory for Engineering Excellence

, University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

Interior
Lab interior
Lobby
Exterior

University of Florida's Herbert Wertheim Laboratory for Engineering Excellence is ready to "power the new engineer." With a catalyst gift from Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim, the University embarked on a $300 million public-private partnership that leverages support from the State, University, and private donors. The result? A facility designed for world-class education that transports students beyond theory and practice and into engineering leadership.

Wertheim Laboratory is a think, model, make facility. Students wrestle with concepts like computational thinking and advanced mathematics in sophisticated classrooms, biotech laboratories, and collaborative collisions areas. At UF, engineers are also entrepreneurs, using challenging theories to develop creative solutions to society’s pressing problems.

Ready to model those new ideas? The Computer Engineering Lab, Prototyping Suites, and Freshman Design Studio are highly experiential spaces to foster hands-on opportunities. Packed with flexible workstations, fabrication machines, and 3-D printers, the rooms are configured with maximum transparency and exposure to provide daylight and connection to the community.

And let's make it! Seniors complete their journey on the top floor with capstone courses for all departments. Big ideas come to life as students engage with faculty mentors and industry partners, supporting UF's goals of increasing startups, funding, and retention and recruiting.

Along their way, students will create lasting relationships in the Subroto and Susmati Bagchi Creative Concourse, an interactive lobby designed by Grimshaw Architects, and they'll explore global opportunities in the Engineering Leadership and Innovation Institutes.

Wertheim is powering new engineers to lead, create and commercialize discoveries, and transform communities.

Page provided laboratory planning and design. Grimshaw Architects was the Architect of Record and design architect.

Building Facts

  • Interdisciplinary Freshmen Design Studios
  • Collaborative Wet Bench Research Labs
  • Prototyping and Fabrication Studios
  • Faculty Offices

This is one of the most important spaces in our new building. We have never before had a space where all our first-year engineering students can come together for a closer collaboration between students and faculty. The Freshman Design Lab will lead to more experiential learning and help students make a stronger transition to their sophomore year.

Cammy Abernathy Herbert Wertheim Laboratory for Engineering Excellence Dean