Building on a Legacy of Interdisciplinarity

Interdisciplinary collaboration is ingrained into NC State’s culture, thanks to the leadership of Provost Warwick Arden and former chancellor Randy Woodson. But Woodson Hall, which will house the Integrative Sciences Initiative (ISI), goes above anything we’ve ever done.

Faculty, staff and students from various academic disciplines will drive molecular discoveries in the building’s dynamic research labs, active-learning classrooms and community spaces. They’ll use technology unlike any we’ve had before at NC State — or the Research Triangle. Recognizing the economic importance of investing in NC State’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs, the North Carolina state legislature will contribute $90 million toward the $180 million project.

Science on Display

Woodson Hall’s top-tier research and teaching facilities — and the interdisciplinary faculty and scholars based in the building — will position NC State as a leader in molecular science. But we also want to show the public what we do and how we do it. 

Located at the heart of NC State’s campus, Woodson Hall will be designed to be a community space as well as a hub for interdisciplinary molecular innovation. The first two floors will be a place where the sciences, the arts and the public intersect.

First floor: Grab a cup of coffee from the Catalyst Cafe. Enjoy the art installations. Check out the digital wall explaining the work that goes on in ISI.

Second floor: Venture into our dedicated teaching space featuring glass-walled, active-learning classrooms and labs.

Collaboration and Commercialization

Once students master the fundamentals of molecular science on the first two floors, they’ll move up — literally and figuratively. The top three floors of Woodson Hall will consist of lab spaces dedicated to applied molecular science and commercialization.

Students will work alongside faculty, industry collaborators and their peers in dynamic research labs. Whether they’re studying biomolecular interactions, designing advanced materials or developing molecular-scale technologies, students will drive discovery while deepening their professional and technical readiness.

Third floor: Open spaces and interdisciplinary labs will allow students, faculty and industry collaborators to work side-by-side making breakthroughs in molecular science.

Fourth floor: Students will help drive discovery while working with industry-grade, futuristic technology and lab equipment.

Fifth floor: Commercialization-focused researchers will bring to market the scientific breakthroughs of the lower floors.