Context
The new Academic Services Building will serve as the “Gateway to the College” in both a physical and functional sense. Located on the edge of campus on a higher level elevation of the adjacent mountain, it is the first building that will be visible as students, faculty, staff and visitors approach the campus. The large glass exterior, when lit at night, will act as a beacon for the College. This site completes the campus quad, developed by the original campus buildings.
The center also enables the consolidation of all student academic services in a single structure enhancing the delivery of comprehensive services to students and adding much needed classroom lecture space to meeting growing enrollment demands.
Project Scope and Budget
This 38,902 square-foot, 3-story instructional building includes flexible general classrooms with instructional technology, a library and study space, an instructional media center, administrative and faculty offices, a broadcasting center, video conferencing rooms, lecture/performance space, a coffee bar, and a 200-seat multi-purpose room.
A large lecture room is designed with operable exterior walls to allow for indoor/outdoor events. In doing so, the interior space provides the stage for performances or lectures, with seating extending out to the campus quad. A café and a 200-seat multi-purpose gathering space are designed to act as a facility for dining, lectures, performances or smaller events. This space is a large volume interior space that is open and filled with natural light.
The exterior of the building is designed as a layered façade. A large curved glass curtain wall connects visually to the campus quad and the community. Since it is a west facing façade, fritted glass and sun shading devices help control the heat gain. The metal fabric used to provide the sun shading offered the opportunity to add graphics that acts as a sign to the community.
The cost of the newly complete facility was $13 million.
Design Solution
Flexibility is a key component of the design. With the programming and the schematic plan for State funding completed some 7 years prior to the building’s opening date, the needs of the College inevitably changed. By providing flexible instructional spaces with appropriate flexible technology, the ability for faculty and students to adapt to new program needs can be met.
This building is a transformation of the previous architectural style on the campus. The campus administration, faculty, and staff requested a new, progressive and modern building to create a new image for the campus.
Sustainability
Sustainable landscaping using native plant materials and reclaimed water for irrigation is a key part of the campus’ effort to conserve water. Energy efficient light fixtures and daylighting controls were also utilized in the project. The project is targeted for a LEED Silver certification.
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