Jefferson celebrates opening of the Center for Science and Discovery
Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) has officially opened the doors to its new Center for Science and Discovery, a transformative facility designed by Omni Architects to elevate STEM education and create a vibrant new hub for learning on the college's downtown Louisville campus.
The approximately 38,000-square-foot facility represents a significant investment in the future of science education and student success. Designed to replace outdated instructional spaces in Hartford Hall, the new building provides state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, faculty offices, collaboration spaces, and student support areas tailored to contemporary teaching and learning vmethodologies.
For decades, many of JCTC's science courses were taught in facilities that no longer reflected the needs of modern STEM education. The Center for Science and Discovery was conceived as a fresh start—an environment where students can actively engage with science through hands-on learning, collaboration, and discovery. The facility houses dedicated teaching laboratories and support spaces for astronomy, physics, biology, chemistry, and geology, organized into discipline-based clusters that foster interaction between faculty and students while creating a clear identity for each academic program.
A defining feature of the building is its emphasis on visibility and engagement. Throughout the facility, opportunities for "Science on Display" showcase the activity and excitement occurring within the laboratories, helping to inspire curiosity and strengthen connections between students and the sciences. Shared study areas and collaboration zones are strategically positioned throughout the building to encourage informal learning and interaction beyond scheduled class time.
Architecturally, the Center for Science and Discovery reinforces JCTC's campus identity while establishing a bold new presence. The building's design incorporates materials and design cues from the nearby Advanced Manufacturing and Information Technology Center, creating continuity across campus. A dramatic, light-filled atrium welcomes visitors and features a monumental social staircase that serves as both a circulation element and gathering space. Inspired by the geometry of the building's exterior, the stair creates an iconic focal point while providing seating and opportunities for student engagement.
The project also serves as a catalyst for broader campus transformation. As one component of a larger multi-phase initiative, the Center for Science and Discovery helps convert a former city-block-sized parking lot into a new campus quadrangle. The building's transparent west façade opens toward this emerging outdoor space, creating visual connections between interior learning environments and campus life. Extensive solar studies informed the façade design, balancing daylight, energy performance, and occupant comfort while supporting the project's goal of achieving LEED Silver certification.
The opening of the Center for Science and Discovery marks an exciting new chapter for Jefferson Community and Technical College, providing students with inspiring spaces that support academic achievement, strengthen pathways into STEM careers, and reinforce the college's commitment to preparing the workforce of tomorrow.