Construction of business school facility begins at Lehigh University

Construction is underway on a new home for the Rauch School of Business at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.

The 74,000-square-foot building is being constructed near the existing Rauch Business Center. It will add 16 new experiential learning spaces for the undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs.

The design includes a business incubator where students can develop and pitch startups, a mock trading floor equipped with Bloomberg terminals, two data analytics rooms, a production studio, a behavior lab, and a corporate-style conferencing center.

An executive education suite will host continuing education programs for business leaders, strengthening ties between Lehigh and the corporate community.

Each of the classrooms will be equipped with technology that provides flexibility to accommodate hybrid and online learning. Informal meeting areas, study nooks, and breakout spaces throughout the building extend learning beyond the classroom and invite students to gather and collaborate informally.

The building is rising on the former site of a parking lot and two administrative buildings.

The design also establishes a landscaped pedestrian plaza with an informal gathering space where students can exchange ideas, eat lunch, or relax after class. A atrium with double- and triple-height storefront windows overlooks the plaza, creating interconnections between the building and the campus beyond.

The project is expected to complete by Fall 2022. 

The architect is Voith & Mactavish Architects.