A $4.3 million gift from Autodesk, one of the world's leading software companies, will name and support two "design and make" spaces that provide Cornell students with access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology for prototyping, creating and research.
Autodesk is contributing $2 million each to Cornell's College of Architecture, Art and Planning (AAP) and Cornell Engineering to name and update key spaces. The company is also providing each college with an additional $150,000 in discretionary funds.
The commitment from Autodesk was championed by alumni and Autodesk executives Jeff Kinder '89, executive vice president of product development and manufacturing solutions, and Amy Bunszel '89, executive vice president of architecture, engineering and construction solutions.
The newly named AAP Autodesk Design and Make Space will encompass the current Rand Hall fabrication shops and support other college maker spaces.
"At AAP, teaching, research and learning thrive in environments that scaffold creativity, innovation and iteration and encourage fluidity between digital and analog techniques," said J. Meejin Yoon, the Gale and Ira Drukier Dean of AAP. "Furthering AAP's mission, Autodesk's gift helps ensure our faculty are well-supported and our students are prepared to drive transformation across our disciplines with the resources, tools and technologies needed to both inspire and actualize imagination."
Cornell Engineering's new Autodesk Design and Make Space will be in Upson Hall.
"The Autodesk Design and Make Space in Cornell Engineering is an investment in the future of experiential learning in our college that impacts students collegewide," said Lynden Archer, the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering. "I am grateful for and encouraged by Autodesk's support of our efforts to educate problem-solvers with combined hands-on and computational design expertise, which is critical in modern engineering and design practice."
Kinder and Bunszel help steward Autodesk's investment in technological innovation and research in higher education to enhance the student experience and increase success in relevant industries following graduation.
"The world urgently needs skilled talent to design and make the brighter future we know is possible, but right now there's a critical skills gap. Autodesk is committed to closing this gap by putting cutting-edge technology directly into the hands of tomorrow's innovators," said Dara Treseder, chief marketing officer at Autodesk. "Our collaboration with Cornell University accelerates this effort, equipping the next generation of engineers, architects and designers with the tools, technology and real-world experience they need to build successful careers and shape our collective future."
In addition to empowering students with industry-ready skills, the spaces will support research initiatives that explore synergies between emerging technologies and sustainable practices in design and making - priorities for both colleges. Autodesk's gift also provides funds to aid course development in Cornell Engineering and help support innovation in engineering education.
Autodesk specializes in software for architecture, engineering, construction, product design and manufacturing, and media and entertainment.
Edith Fikes is a content strategist for the College of Architecture, Art and Planning.
