创新楼 Off to Fast Start

Since it opened in fall 2016, the new home of the Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering 和 Computer 科学 has fostered a culture of experimentation 和 creativity.

That’s especially true on the building’s 创新楼, the entry-level space created as an interdisciplinary project-based, co-working zone. It includes an incubator, innovation lab 和 event space.

为杜克大学教职员工服务, 学生, 工作人员, alumni 和 the surrounding community, the open-access 创新楼 is managed by Mike Caston. Previously an assistant professor of industrial design at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Caston holds a master’s degree in industrial design from North Carolina State University. He has operated a product 和 graphic design firm for the past decade.

自今年1月以来, the 创新楼 has offered more than 25 free workshops covering everything from laser engraving 和 3-D printing to industrial sewing. Caston also has collaborated with roughly 10 DU 和 10 community organizations, with additional partnerships in development. 更重要的是, the 创新楼 has played a critical role in helping launch or develop five student businesses.

In the weeks 和 months ahead, Caston says he plans to “continue reaching out to all DU 学生, faculty 和 工作人员 to bring awareness around 和 provide resources for creative projects, STEM-based learning opportunities, collaborative co-working 和 entrepreneurial ventures.”

He also aims to extend existing 创新楼 offerings to DU alumni 和 the surrounding community, form a student-run “Maker Club,” 和 develop a DU Innovation Center offering interdisciplinary services to facilitate entrepreneurial ventures.