He graduated from Ohio State University in 1931 with a Bachelor's in Architectural Engineering and provided a $10 million donation that spearheaded the funding for the creation of the building.

[8][9] Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, the landscape attempts to increase nature on the site through landform strips around the building's perimeter and construction of an arboreal bosque.

It is full of unique spaces, an open flexible hall that beckons people to participate, and seems to have surprises around every corner.

[13]Since its completion in 2004, Knowlton Hall has been the subject of a lot of attention, not only within the local community of Columbus but also nationally.

Knowlton Hall has gained recognition by national publications, such as Architecture, Competitions, Dwell, Praxis, and Architectural Record, and has also been the recipient of numerous awards:[2] Todd Gannon, Margaret Fletcher, Teresa Ball (eds), Mack Scogin Merrill Elam: Knowlton Hall, Columbus, Ohio, Springer Science & Business Media, 2007[9]