The ExxonMobil Foundation has advocated for the education and practice of energy, biodiversity, and conservation for more than 70 years. With more recent efforts centered on future leaders, The Foundation set out to establish a series of Teen Engineering and Tech Centers aimed at making STEM careers more accessible to students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

For the Foundation, the opportunity presented an ambitious, long-term investment that would include partnerships with various educational entities and high endorsement from the ExxonMobil CEO. They needed a design partner they could trust, one willing to learn and adapt to the complexities of cultivating safe spaces for diverse work and learning styles. Endorsed by a 30-year relationship with ExxonMobil and a background in piloting, our team was invited to the early planning stages and tasked with helping the team charter new territory.

The ExxonMobil Foundation identified a 13,000-square-foot building in Spring, Texas, as the perfect base for their pilot. To create successful pathways to STEM careers, we needed to create a fun, approachable, and durable space that could break down barriers and encourage students to consider a career in STEM. We leaned heavily into design visioning, working alongside seasoned educators and vendors to repurpose a former childcare facility into the optimal sensory experience for teens from all walks of life.

Mirroring the mission to pull back the curtain on the engineering world, we deconstructed the interior architecture. Alongside concrete floors and punched windows, exposed conduits create lighting pathways throughout, inspiring energy and connectivity. Glass walls and doors emphasize visibility into key spaces, evoking a sense of transparency and curiosity for the next generation of innovation. In the virtual reality center, known as the Digital Garage, the design responds to elevation changes with raised flooring accented with see-through LED-lit tiles.

The 3D Printing Lab features transparent acrylic tubes for discarded printing scraps. As time passes, the tubes will fill and transform into works of art. 

The building also provides experiences within experiences, with many inspiring nooks and corners for students to connect and collaborate. These areas are outfitted with buildable plywood furniture, giving students the freedom to design the look and function of their communal spaces on their own.

Design elements include themes from the STEM world, providing teachable moments at every turn. Display cases fit the shape of the periodic table, wayfinding resembles chemical elements, and life-size wall graphics take the form of formulas. Mixed in are intentional open spaces beckoning the display of student work.

The pilot center, complete with a Laser-Cutting Studio, Chemistry Lab, Digital Garage, Programming/Computer Lab, Robotics Lab, and 3D Printing Lab, has successfully set the stage for a second Houston center opening soon, with more to come. The ExxonMobil Foundation is making monumental strides toward its goal of filling STEM roles with the best and brightest up-and-coming minds, no matter their background.