Computer Science and Engineering Department will move into new Caruth Hall in May 2010. A grant from the Caruth Foundation of Communities Foundation of Texas provided the seed money for the new building. The second engineering building at SMU to be constructed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Standards, Caruth Hall will become the third engineering facility built at SMU in the past five years, providing much-needed new and improved space for teaching, research and innovation.

New Caruth will serve as the gateway to SMU’s new east quadrangle, which includes the Embrey Engineering Building, Junkins Engineering Building and Blanton Student Services Building.


The environmentally conscious design includes the following features.

• Larger windows will allow more natural light and reduce the need for artificial lighting.
• Stairs in the building are centrally located to encourage their use instead of the elevator.
• Reserved parking spaces give an incentive to drive alternative fuel/power cars.
• Materials for the building are all from within 500 miles of campus to cut transportation costs and pollution.
• Recycling is planned for at least 75 percent of waste materials from construction.
• Natural materials are used in construction – the building's paint, rugs and wall coverings won't emit chemical gases.
• The lab cabinetry will be fabricated from wheat, and environmentally friendly companies that follow certified forestry management techniques will provide the lumber.
• The building's sustainable approach includes simple reclamation approaches to save water: a landscaping irrigation system that uses wastewater from the air-conditioning system and flushless urinals – each of which saves 40,000 gallons of water annually.