| The Keck Center for Science and Technology on the Chapman University campus occupies a significant site directly adjacent to the Chapman football field and student center - Argyros Forum. The new building adds 140,000 SF of educational space, two levels of below grade parking, 8000 SF of stadium seating and a ground level arcade; approximately 40,000 SF is currently unassigned. The building presents a permeable, welcoming face to the campus and surrounding community, organized to take advantage of spaces outside the classrooms, labs and offices –creating an interactive environment where ideas and knowledge are developed and shared.
One enters from the north into a generously daylit two-story space. A wide corridor is lined with floor to ceiling glass and integrated display cabinets, embodying the “putting science on display” philosophy of the center. Throughout the length of the building views are offered of the east and west, as well as the introduction or “events” as collaborative spaces. The heart of the building is at the midpoint and consists of a variety of gathering spaces. A stepped amphitheater allows for casual meeting and working; providing connectivity vertically through the building. A connecting stair rises from the second to third floor to continue the connectivity to the upper floor. The hallway is lined with back painted glass and benches placed on rails allowing for personalization of study groups.
Each floor has a collection of meeting rooms, lounges complete with coffee making facilities and student gathering spaces. At the second floor, an outdoor terrace is adjacent to the amphitheater and allows for the collaborative space to spill to outdoors. The terrace also provides a physical break in the rather long eastern elevation. At the third floor, due to the prescribed set back, the faculty lounge and seminar room take advantage of the terraces and roof gardens.
An open arcade occupies the first floor with the eastern face connecting to the existing sidewalk at a number of locations. Outdoor rooms have been integrated in the garden space adjacent to the arcade to encourage student and faculty gatherings. The eastern edge of the building is set back away from the street allowing for continuous landscaping which creates a soft natural buffer that filters storm water before it leaves the site.
Student circulation flows by the building on Central Street, reaching the center of the campus from the residential complex located north of the site. The arcade provides a protected, pleasant route to get to campus. The entry facing Center Street also provides access to visitor’s stadium seating via a two-story grand arched opening.
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