The new 96,000-sf Center for Nursing and Health Sciences has recently opened and will act as the new “front door” for St. Louis Community College.
The four-story learning center is comprised of brick and metal panels and solar glass and shading and serves as a welcoming point for vehicle and pedestrian traffic from Oakland Avenue through the campus.
KAI held workshops with the college’s administration, staff, and faculty to create a design that met the needs of the end user. For example, interior spaces were designed for flexibility so they could be transformed into different functions as needed in the future.
The new building includes a dental clinic, surgical technology laboratories, teaching labs, classrooms, computer rooms, study areas, lounges, conference rooms, and office suites. Interior spaces provide opportunities for studying in groups or individually in areas such as seating niches in the corridors, bean bag chairs, and nesting tables.
The interior uses white walls with punches of accent colors on the furniture, lockers, and walls while LEED v4 requirements called for the use of lightly colored, highly reflective materials on the floors, ceilings, and work surfaces.
Approximately 900 students will be servedby the new facility, which consolidates the Forest Park campus’ existing Allied Health programs and also relocates the EMT/Paramedic technology currently offered at another campus.
See Also: The Kennedy Center expands for the first time since its 1971 debut
Tarlton Corp.was the general contractor for the project.
Related Stories
| Mar 12, 2014
14 new ideas for doors and door hardware
From a high-tech classroom lockdown system to an impact-resistant wide-stile door line, BD+C editors present a collection of door and door hardware innovations.
| Feb 25, 2014
Are these really the 'world's most spectacular university buildings'? [slideshow]
Emporis lists its top 13 higher education buildings from around the world. Do you agree with the rankings?
| Feb 24, 2014
First look: UC San Diego opens net-zero biological research lab
The facility is intended to be "the most sustainable laboratory in the world," and incorporates natural ventilation, passive cooling, high-efficiency plumbing, and sustainably harvested wood.
| Feb 14, 2014
Crowdsourced Placemaking: How people will help shape architecture
The rise of mobile devices and social media, coupled with the use of advanced survey tools and interactive mapping apps, has created a powerful conduit through which Building Teams can capture real-time data on the public. For the first time, the masses can have a real say in how the built environment around them is formed—that is, if Building Teams are willing to listen.
| Feb 13, 2014
University officials sound off on net zero energy buildings
As part of its ongoing ZNE buildings research project, Sasaki Associates, in collaboration with Buro Happold, surveyed some 500 campus designers and representatives on the top challenges and opportunities for achieving net-zero energy performance on university and college campuses.
| Feb 4, 2014
World's fifth 'living building' certified at Smith College [slideshow]
The Bechtel Environmental Classroom utilizes solar power, composting toilets, and an energy recovery system, among other sustainable strategies, to meet the rigorous performance requirements of the Living Building Challenge.
| Feb 4, 2014
Must see: Student housing complex made with recycled shipping containers
Architect Christian Salvati's new structure is just the first step in bringing shipping container construction to New Haven, Conn.
| Jan 31, 2014
6 considerations for rehabbing student union buildings
Most colleges and universities feel pressure to offer the latest amenities in order to attract and retain the best and brightest students. While hauling in the bulldozer to create modern facilities is attractive in some regards, deciding to renovate can be just as effective and, in some cases, even preferable to new construction.
| Jan 29, 2014
Notre Dame to expand football stadium in largest project in school history
The $400 million Campus Crossroads Project will add more than 750,000 sf of academic, student life, and athletic space in three new buildings attached to the school's iconic football stadium.
| Jan 28, 2014
16 awe-inspiring interior designs from around the world [slideshow]
The International Interior Design Association released the winners of its 4th Annual Global Excellence Awards. Here's a recap of the winning projects.
