Design innovation at Berkeley Engineering

In June 2013, Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm’s executive chairman and three-time Berkeley Engineering alumnus, made a landmark commitment to the university. The $20-million gift launched a new institute to transform the undergraduate educational experience at the College of Engineering. The Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation is creating opportunities for students from across campus to learn design through hands-on projects and team-based learning.

The Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation will provide physical space as well as faculty and staff resources to optimize design thinking and hands-on experience in the engineering curriculum. (Courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects)

In five design studios, students will have access to rapid prototyping and manufacturing technologies to create products and devices suited to end-user needs. (Courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects)

New interdisciplinary academic programs, such as an undergraduate minor in design anticipated to launch in spring 2015, will also be overseen by the institute. (Photo by Noah Berger)

Paul Jacobs shared the stage with Dean Shankar Sastry and former President Bill Clinton as he announced the gift to launch the institute. (Courtesy Clinton Global Initiative)

Undergraduate student advisers from across campus provided a student perspective throughout the development of the minor in design innovation. (Courtesy JIDI)

Students learn a range of skills by working on hands-on, in-depth projects. (Photo by Daniel McGlynn)

The architectural firm designing the building is known for its sensitivity to location and environmental sustainability. (Photo by Noah Berger)

Student speakers at the Jacobs Hall groundbreaking: From left to right: Kate Rakelly, Lavanya Jawaharlal and Eric Mica. (Photo by Noah Berger)

Design ambassadors in the CITRIS Invention Lab on Cal Day. (Photo by Noah Berger)

Jacobs Hall is due to be open for classes in fall semester 2015. (Courtesy Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects)

A new building, under construction on the north side of campus neighboring Soda Hall, will serve as the institute’s main hub. Due to open in fall 2015, Jacobs Hall will feature four floors of studios, flexible learning space and digital fabrication equipment for rapid prototyping.

“Today, it is not enough to provide our future engineering leaders with technical skills,” said Jacobs as he announced the gift from the Paul and Stacy Jacobs Foundation at the 2013 Clinton Global Initiative in Chicago. “They must also learn how to work in interdisciplinary teams, how to iterate designs rapidly, how to manufacture sustainably, how to combine art and engineering and how to address global markets.”

To learn more, visit the Jacobs Institute website.