“UofL is a nationally recognized leader in driving innovation, spurring economic growth and providing students with the education and experience they need to succeed in the real world,” said UofL President Gerry Bradley. “This amazing new facility, with state-of-the-art amenities, will speed those efforts, creating bold new opportunities for our students, researchers and the commonwealth.”

With state-of-the-art classrooms, lab facilities, conference rooms and a makerspace, the new building will prepare engineering students with hands-on instruction and industry experience. Designed by Luckett & Farley and SmithGroup with Whittenberg Construction as the general contractor, the $90-million project was first announced in Feb. 2024. As the new focal point of Speed School, the building aims to provide the infrastructure that prepares future engineering leaders across Kentucky’s increasingly technology-focused workforce.

“This new Student Success & Research Building represents a strategic investment in Kentucky’s future,” said Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester. With expanded lab space, collaborative learning environments and a focus on innovation, it strengthens our capacity to educate the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers. The state’s $65 million commitment to this project reflects the vital role UofL and the Speed School play in building a stronger, more competitive commonwealth. Louisville has long been the economic engine of Kentucky, and the Speed School is one of its most powerful engines of opportunity and growth.”

In addition to the state’s financial support, UofL has secured nearly $10 million in philanthropic commitments to name spaces within the building. These investments from alumni, industry partners and friends of the university underscore the community’s belief in Speed School’s mission and its impact on Kentucky’s future workforce.

Across sectors that include robotics, artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, additive manufacturing and cybersecurity, the Student Success & Research Building will be equipped with cutting-edge technology to enhance student learning and engineering research. Additionally, the building will be home to student support services that include academic counseling, tutoring, co-op coordination and admissions.

“This building represents opportunity. It is a place where late-night study sessions turn into breakthrough ideas, where classmates become teammates or even lifelong friends, and where we can learn the skills that prepare us to solve real-world challenges,” said Speed School Student Council President Kayla Lancaster. “It gives us the places to work, the tools to build and the support to thrive.”

The building’s opening coincides with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Speed School’s founding.

“The Student Success & Research Building is the perfect way to celebrate Speed School’s Centennial,” said Dean Emmanuel Collins. “It also represents Speed School’s commitment to the next 100 years of engineering excellence and innovation.”

By Michael Phillips

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See photos from the Sept. 4 press conference on .

For more information on the broader impact of the new Student Success & Research Building on the UofL community, visit the .

For more photos of the Student Success & Research Building, see , or view and download or a of the building construction.

In the future, your fridge might be able to answer those questions for you, thanks to technology developed by University of Louisville students that uses artificial intelligence software to identify what foods you have and what’s missing.��

The project won second place in FirstBuild’s 2017 MegaHackathon, held at the GE Appliances-backed makerspace and microfactory on UofL’s Belknap campus.��Hundreds of hackers spent September 9-10 trying to “Hack the Home,” with futuristic tech like smart spice cabinets and automated pet-feeders.��

The fridge team — all sophomores at UofL’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering — also considered building a QR-code oven or a wine cooler for your refrigerator. But after those ideas didn’t pan out, they went back to the drawing board and came up with the ‘A.I. Fridge.’��

“The big challenge of the Hackathon was finding something that truly made sense,” said Nico Ferreyra, a member of the team. “In other words, something that the average consumer could use and would want to buy. So, we had to think on a broad scale and come up with certain inefficiencies in the consumer’s lifestyle and solve those inefficiencies.”��

For example, the inefficiency in trying to remember what groceries you need at the store. After scanning what’s inside, the A.I. fridge creates a shopping list based on what you normally buy and syncs with your calendar to make the whole grocery shopping experience more automated and streamlined.��

Ferreyra’s team received $2,000 for their overall second place win. They also won $750 for the winning the GE IDO Best Digital Experience for a Physical Product award, and received the PCI LTD Co. Smart Home Award.��

Larry Portaro, FirstBuild’s director, said the third annual competition allowed FirstBuild to showcase its “model of manufacturing to bring out the best and brightest ideas for the next smart appliance.”��

“The prototypes generated from each team truly illustrate the idea behind our collaborative community and how ideas can come from anywhere and anyone,” he said.

Another UofL team competing at this year’s MegaHackathon made an umbrella stand that tells you the weather. In past FirstBuild contests, UofL teams have designed and that give you step-by-step recipe instructions.��

Aside from just the prizes, Ferreyra said participating in his first hackathon gave him the chance to get some hands-on experience and apply what he learned in class.��

“I do think students benefit from these events,” he said. “Events like these immerse engineering students into these challenges and bring the true engineer out.”

That’s what FirstBuild’s 2017 MegaHackathon is all about. Teams will spend September 9-10 trying to “Hack the Home” at the makerspace and microfactory, on the University of Louisville’s Belknap campus.��

FirstBuild, backed by Haier’s GE Appliances, expects more than 300 participants to help create the next generation of home appliances. Teams will be competing for cash and prizes.

UofL students (wink wink, nudge nudge) have actually made a strong showing in past FirstBuild hackathons. During last year’s event, with the theme “Future of Cooking,” MegaHackathon, a team of students, won Best Simblee Connected project for its cooktop that gives step-by-step recipe instructions.��

“We got to come up with an idea for a product, and then see it through to the end,” said then-senior engineering student and team member Sarah Morris. “UofL is so closely tied with FirstBuild, it’s a great opportunity to continue your hands-on work.”

Larry Portaro, director of FirstBuild, agreed the hackathon gives students a chance to get their hands dirty and apply what they learn in class.��

“It’s a great opportunity to work with other passionate makers and enthusiasts to co-create next generation home appliances with the support of our microfactory and access to our tools,” he said.��

No specific experience or background is required to participate. Hackathon contestants can , and sponsorship information is .