Whitney Applied Technology Center Renovations. Onondaga Community College
The renovation of the Whitney Applied Technology Center transformed an aging facility into a state-of-the-art hub for technology education and workforce development. Through the strategic reconfiguration of existing spaces, the project created a cohesive environment that supports both academic instruction and industry collaboration. New and repurposed areas, including labs for CNC machining, welding, and cleanroom simulation equip students with hands-on experience in high-demand technical fields while fostering adaptability for future program growth.
Designed to serve as a bridge between education and local industry, the facility promotes innovation, efficiency, and connection. Multipurpose and gathering spaces strengthen the sense of community within the building, while flexible layouts and infrastructure ensure the center can evolve alongside emerging technologies and workforce needs. The result is a dynamic, efficient environment that inspires learning and supports longterm regional economic vitality.
Project Purpose Statement:
To provide an effective state-of-the-art home for technology explorations and education, in a way that inspires student curiosity and innovation in the STEM/Tech industries, so that the partnership between OCC and the surrounding community can continue to thrive with industry evolution.
Guiding Principles:
Be a showcase to generate excitement for STEM/tech industries.
Create opportunities for community among students and between students and the surrounding community.
Provide efficient, functional, and adaptable environments that foster the educational purpose to thrive.
Atrium
The existing National Grid Grand Atrium was updated with a fresh look, including a relocated staircase. The visual enhancements to the space create a more engaging and welcoming experience as the main entryway into the Whitney building. Additional functionality was added through the creation of a student small-group collaboration and study space under the new staircase; furniture installations that will provide students with places to work, study, and gather; and the staircase itself will serve as a gathering space through expanded amphitheater-style seating adjoining the stairs themselves.
Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab (Former Bookstore Space – New Second Floor)
Ashley McGraw Architects partnered with Onondaga Community College to design the new Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab, a state-of-the-art training environment supporting the region’s rapidly expanding semiconductor industry. Located within the renovated Whitney Applied Technology Center, the lab provides students with direct, hands-on experience using the same advanced manufacturing tools found in professional chip fabrication facilities.
Student Lounge (Reconfigured Machine Shop and South Corridor – First Floor)
As part of reconfiguring the Machine Shop and adding a new staircase to the south corridor, an opportunity to add a small student lounge had been created. It provides students with a small gathering space to study or just relax between classes. It also creates an engagement anchor to the new corridor along the west side of the building that connects back to the Atrium.
CNC Lab (Former Bookstore Space – First Floor)
The new CNC Lab supports local industry demand for CNC operators. Classes for credit-bearing programs and workforce upskilling opportunities will be provided in this space. This new space will supply a laboratory home for the existing CNC mills currently located next door in W172, as well as additional capacity to expand the number of CNC mills and add CNC lathes. Further, this lab contains an integrated teaching space so that classes can seamlessly move between classroom instruction and hands-on instruction using the machines.
Machine Shop (Reconfigured Machine Shop – First Floor)
The existing Machine Shop had been the home for OCC’s large industrial machines for the Mechanical Technology (MET) program since the Whitney building opened. The demand for trained machinists, tool & die makers, etc. remains strong in the local Central New York economy and OCC actively supports local industry through its MET program and related instruction coursework for New York State Registered Apprenticeships. The Machine Shop received an updated layout. While slightly smaller in overall size, the updated layout provides a more efficient use of the space while also enhancing the safety and instructional efficacy of the shop.
Welding Lab (Reconfigured Manufacturing Processes Lab – First Floor)
Among the unmet needs of local industry are trained welders. Currently, OCC only has a few welding units that are used to demonstrate welding in other coursework. As part of this renovation, the College is building the capacity to add a full Welding program to its portfolio of offerings that support manufacturing and construction. Although the renovation will not create the full Welding Lab itself, it created the space and established the infrastructure for future expansion.
Multipurpose Space (Reconfigured Machine Shop – New Second Floor)
In adding a second floor above the current Machine Shop high bay space, it creates the opportunity to add a Multipurpose Space outside the HVAC/R Training Lab and adjoining the Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab. This space functionally serves as a connective corridor to the new second-floor labs and the new staircase back to the first floor. It is also large enough to host small functions, such as receptions and employer engagement events. When not used for hosting functions, it is another enhancement to the Whitney building for creating engaging student spaces to gather, work, and study. Working with local industry partners (including Micron), the space also serves as a showcase for displays (physical and electronic) of products and manufacturing facilities.
