UK Board of Trustees approves new ‘makerspace’ building for Pigman College of Engineering
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 18, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees has approved the construction phase of a new “makerspace” building for the UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering — advancing a project designed to expand student innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The approximately 30,000-square-foot, three-story facility will be constructed on the site of the current Engineering Annex and connected to the Ralph G. Anderson Building (RGAN).
Dedicated to student projects and student organizations, “makerspace” will provide a centralized hub for design, manufacturing and prototyping.
The project also includes renovations to the first floor of RGAN to create new space for the college's large student competition teams.
From designing and building nationally competitive solar-powered vehicles through the UK Solar Car Team to developing Formula SAE race cars with Formula Kentucky and creating chemically powered vehicles for Chem-E-Car competitions, students gain real-world experience in engineering design, manufacturing, testing, project management and teamwork.
The expanded facilities will provide dedicated space for these programs to grow, while preparing students for successful careers in the industry.
University leaders envision the facility as a highly visible center for student engagement.
“Some of the most meaningful learning happens when students put their ideas into practice. Hands-on design and build experiences are essential to preparing the next generation of engineers,” Mike Renfro, interim dean of UK Pigman Engineering, said. “The new ‘makerspace’ building will significantly expand student access to advanced manufacturing tools and technologies, while creating collaborative spaces where students from every engineering discipline can come together to tackle complex projects. It will strengthen our ability to connect classroom learning with real-world application and industry engagement.”
The building will replace the existing Engineering Annex. The site was designated for the “makerspace” project following board approval of the design phase in 2025.
The $40 million project was authorized by the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly and will be funded through agency funds, including an internal loan approved by the board.
Once completed, “makerspace” will become a hub for experiential learning — giving students dedicated facilities to design, build and test projects, while advancing the college’s commitment to hands-on engineering education and continued growth.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.