By Ed Kromer
Since its soft opening this spring, the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building (IEB) has quickly become a hub for students across the College of Engineering.
Early this spring, in concert with the Quad’s famed cherry blossoms, came the soft opening of the much-anticipated Interdisciplinary Engineering Building (IEB).
The 76,000 square-foot facility, nestled in a stand of towering evergreens opposite the Husky Union Building (HUB), has quickly become the nexus of collaborative and experiential learning for undergraduate students across the College of Engineering.
It’s a hub across from the HUB.
The IEB’s five stories contain classrooms, teaching labs, project team rooms, meeting spaces for student organizations and social and study nooks. It also features student advising, academic support, career services — and glorious views.
Beyond its dedication to an inclusive student experience, the IEB is also a demonstration of sustainable design, including significant reductions in water use, heat loss and lighting power density, plus a rooftop solar array.
The $106 million construction project was funded by a public-private partnership of the State of Washington and the federal government, the UW and a coalition of individual and corporate donors.
All in the service of engineering undergrads.
The IEB was designed for students with significant input from students. “They told us what they needed and we listened,” says Dan Ratner, the college’s associate dean for academic affairs. “The IEB was created to support the education and development of every student in the College of Engineering and to give them a sense of belonging.
“That’s why, when we put a few classes in the building and unlocked the doors for our soft opening this spring, every space became filled with students from day one. It is full of life.”
The multifaceted Interdisciplinary Engineering Building (IEB) was built with the single focus of supporting the education and development of engineering students. Mark Stone/University of Washington
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A foundation of community support
Gifts from generous alumni, individuals, corporations and organizations funded nearly half the IEB’s $106 million construction cost.
Originally published June 17, 2025