At the intersection of technology, art and education, Clark University’s new Center for Media Arts, Computing, and Design (CMACD) represents more than just a state-of-the-art academic facility—it’s a bold reimagining of how interdisciplinary learning spaces can inspire, connect, and evolve.

Designed by award-winning firm Ayers Saint Gross, the CMACD is a dynamic addition to the Worcester, Massachusetts campus, uniting the university’s game design, computer science, and visual and performing arts programs under one innovative roof.

The center is home to the Becker School of Design & Technology—one of the country’s leading programs in video game design—alongside cutting-edge computing and media production facilities. Featuring everything from robotics labs and maker spaces to flexible classrooms and immersive digital galleries, the CMACD supports hands-on, collaborative exploration at every turn. A central design goal was to create a future-forward environment where students can seamlessly blend artistic expression with technological expertise.

But the impact of the project goes far beyond its walls. Built on a former parking lot, the LEED Gold-certified facility reflects Clark University’s sustainability goals through features like a green roof, geothermal energy and materials that prioritize occupant health and environmental performance.

Throughout the design process, Ayers Saint Gross worked closely with a diverse group of stakeholders—faculty, students, and industry professionals—to ensure the building met the needs of its users while aligning with Clark’s long-term vision. The result is a campus centerpiece that not only reflects the energy of today’s creative and tech-driven students, but one that’s built to grow with them.

In the following Q&A, President Joel Fidler shares his insights on the process, the challenges and what it means to design a space for the next generation of innovation.

Give us a snapshot of the Center for Media Arts, Computing, and Design (CMACD).

The Center (CMACD) is a landmark addition to the university’s campus—a 70,000-square-foot, five-story hub that brings together some of the most exciting and forward-looking disciplines in academia today under one roof: game design, computing, and the arts.

Designed to promote cross-pollination among fields, the building combines highly technical environments like robotics and AR/VR labs with open, flexible spaces that foster spontaneous collaboration. A transparent, contemporary design language punctuated with warm materials and dynamic circulation paths signals the building’s role as an academic incubator and connector within the campus fabric.

What was the story behind the project’s inception? How did the acquisition of the Becker School influence the vision?

The project began as part of a broader effort to redefine Clark University’s academic identity following its acquisition of the Becker School of Design & Technology.

Recognizing Becker as one of the nation’s premier game design programs, Clark University saw an opportunity to amplify that strength by co-locating it within its Computer Science and Visual & Performing Arts departments. This strategic integration became the foundation for the Center for Media Arts, Computing, and Design—a space designed to break down silos and spark interdisciplinary innovation.

What were some of the primary goals that Clark University wanted to achieve with this space?

Clark University envisioned a forward-looking academic hub that would support immersive learning, foster creativity, and strengthen the university’s appeal to prospective students. Beyond academic excellence, the university was committed to inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability.

They wanted a building that reflected those values while remaining adaptable to different teaching styles and student needs, rich with technology and environmentally responsible. The CMACD embodies these goals, offering flexible learning environments and cutting-edge infrastructure, all while meeting LEED Gold standards.

How did you engage stakeholders throughout the process, and how did their feedback shape the final outcome?

Engagement with the campus community is a cornerstone of our firm’s process, and this consideration and deep understanding of the needs of higher education institutions has made Ayers Saint Gross an invaluable resource to so many colleges and universities. At Clark University, we brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including faculty, students, university leadership, and industry professionals, to help guide and inform the design.

Through workshops, interviews, and visioning sessions, the firm gathered insights on how students learn, how faculty teach, and how emerging technologies might reshape both. This input directly shaped everything from programming and spatial organization to the integration of adaptive technologies and the emphasis on flexibility, inclusivity and transparency throughout the building.

Walk us through the design strategy. How did you align form, function and future-ready technology within the CMACD?

Ayers Saint Gross’s design strategy for the CMACD integrates key pillars of collaboration, adaptability, and innovation. Functionally, the building is organized into two wings linked by open collaboration zones and a circulation loop that encourages movement and chance encounters. Formally, its matte black and copper-paneled façade makes a bold architectural statement while being respectful of the surrounding scale.

The building faces into campus as well as a residential neighborhood and the massing is designed to respond to both conditions. Technologically, it’s packed with future-ready spaces, from a virtual production lab to real-time visualization tools, designed to evolve with emerging media. Each design decision reinforced the project’s dual mission: to ground students in the now and launch them into what’s next.

The building brings together a unique mix of disciplines—game design, computing and the arts. How did you design for both cross-collaboration and individual focus?

Ayers Saint Gross’s approach balanced openness with intentional moments of focus. The building is organized around collaborative zones — like double-height commons, flexible classrooms, and informal breakout areas—that encourage spontaneous interaction across disciplines.

At the same time, the firm created purpose-built labs and studios tailored to the specific needs of each program, from immersive AV suites to robotics labs. A digital gallery on the first floor allows student work to be on display to all, both from the interior and from the plaza. The result is a dynamic academic landscape where students can dive deep into their disciplines and also bump into new ideas around every corner.

What were some of the most innovative elements you incorporated to support different learning styles and accessibility?

Ayers Saint Gross approached the CMACD with a deep understanding that students learn in different ways. The building includes a wide range of learning environments, from hands-on maker spaces to quiet study areas, that support everything from group collaboration to immersive individual work.

Flexibility was key: furniture, lighting and spatial configurations were designed to adapt in real time. Accessibility was woven throughout the design, from clear wayfinding and inclusive restrooms to thoughtful acoustics and natural lighting strategies. Even the digital media gallery and technology wall were conceived to highlight student voices in a variety of formats and mediums.

Talk about how you ensured the CMACD was contextually appropriate for its location on campus and in the neighborhood.

The CMACD is located at the edge of campus, adjacent to a residential street, so scale and sensitivity were key. Ayers Saint Gross worked to ensure that the building felt like both a campus landmark and a good neighbor for the community. The upper levels are recessed to reduce visual impact, allowing the five-story facility to read more like three from the street.

The form echoes residential rhythms in the façade and introduces warm, tactile materials like copper and limestone to bridge institutional and neighborhood scales. Outdoor gathering spaces and large windows create transparency and provide views of both the campus and the larger Worcester community.

Can you walk us through the building’s green credentials and energy strategies?

Sustainability was embedded into every layer of the CMACD, earning it LEED Gold certification. The building sits on a former parking lot, transforming underused land into a high-performing academic resource. A geothermal well field below the plaza provides the building’s operational energy needs without on-site combustion.

High-efficiency systems, including a 51% reduction in outdoor potable water use and 22% reduction indoors, reinforce sustainable operations. The firm also prioritized low-emitting and responsibly sourced materials, achieving an 18% reduction in embodied carbon. With a green roof, ample daylight, views and outdoor connections, the design promotes well-being and environmental stewardship in equal measure.

You mention adaptive tech, immersive environments and a strong connection to place. How do you see these ideas shaping campus design more broadly?

Campus design is evolving to meet a new generation of learners: students who expect flexibility, responsiveness and meaningful engagement with their environments. Adaptive technologies and immersive tools aren’t just campus perks anymore; they’re essential to supporting how students learn, collaborate and create.

At the same time, grounding buildings in their physical and cultural context, through material choices, site strategies and biophilic elements, creates a sense of belonging. Ayers Saint Gross sees these trends converging in campus projects across the country and the CMACD exemplifies how they can be thoughtfully integrated.

From your perspective, what makes the CMACD—and your design philosophy—stand out in today’s competitive higher education landscape?

The CMACD is set apart by its synthesis of future-ready technology and deeply human-centered design. Ayers Saint Gross’s design philosophy is rooted in collaboration—not just among disciplines but among people. Our firm engaged a wide range of stakeholders, from students to faculty to industry professionals, to shape a space that truly reflects their needs and aspirations.

We always work to design for a specific site, drawing inspiration from the context while also developing a space that reflects the program conceptually; no two buildings will have the same aesthetic. By designing with flexibility, inclusivity, and sustainability in mind, Ayers Saint Gross is not just responding to current trends—we are creating environments that can grow and evolve with the institutions they serve.

What are some of the biggest trends you’re tracking in academic and interdisciplinary space design?

Because our clients are primarily in the world of higher education, we pay close attention to the challenges coming through the field. Right now, many of our clients are concerned about funding changes, demographic shifts and enrollment changes, student and faculty mental health and wellness, and affordability, among other issues.

As populations and programs change, we are always tracking ways to use building renewals or conversions as an alternative to new construction. We are also thinking about how we can prioritize spaces that meet the diverse needs of the student population and their physical and mental health. Physical space should prioritize relationships over transactions, to boost engagement and student success.

One on one with… Ayers Saint Gross’ Joel Fidler

Describe a typical day.

One thing I appreciate about my job is that there is no “typical” day! I spend a lot of time working with leaders across our various practice areas to make sure we are meeting our client needs while also working with the corporate team to ensure we’re working as efficiently and effectively as possible. Design and technology are evolving quickly, so we are always looking to identify ways to push ourselves beyond where we were yesterday.

What’s the biggest thing on your to-do list right now?

Successfully navigating high school prom/senior week/graduation and seeing my youngest off to college!

What was the best advice you ever received?

Do hard things and challenge yourself. Growth only happens when you move outside your comfort zone.

What’s the best thing a client ever said to you?

Construction had just finished on a new residential cottage for children with multiple disabilities. Students and caregivers were moving into the space that was outfitted with mobility and accessibility features that didn’t exist anywhere else on campus.

When one of the caregivers saw me, she came over and gave me a big hug. She told me that despite the meetings and workshops, she never could have imagined a building like this—having these spaces would change her kids’ lives. That was the best post-occupancy site visit I ever had.