The renovation of the King building into an Academic Center will reconnect the New Jersey Institute of Technology to the city through a transformation of its Brutalist 1970s façade. The program proposes to restore and alter the 1912 building envelope to create dramatic physical and visual connections from the campus into the grand 1912 landmark. The centerpiece of the project is a Center for Innovation and Discovery. As a central gathering space, it is accessible to students and visitors alike, where exhibit, production and presentation areas are organized to encourage cross-pollination of ideas. High-tech classrooms, instructional labs and studios are designed on a flexible model, able to accommodate moderated discussions, lecture formats or small group collaboration and study. An 800-seat auditorium will be renovated, while the existing gym and pool will be repurposed as academic spaces. With social components tied to teaching, research and study, the new Academic Center will act as a counterpoint to the Student Center.