With an emphasis on health, aesthetics, operation and maintenance cost savings, the challenge was to design a landmark building that showcases the education program and harmonizes with existing campus structures. Additionally, the building aspires to silver LEED certification which presented opportunities for the design team to research and consider the widest range of materials and sustainable solutions. This included studying campus traffic patterns and conducting comfort studies.

Requiring less electricity than a conventional system, displacement ventilation in the building’s interior provides tempered air, thermal comfort and improved air quality. The building’s exterior glazing creates a ventilated wall system made of terra-cotta rain screen panels, which discourages water damage and health-threatening mold. All classrooms are located on the northern half of the building with floor to ceiling glass walls that capitalize on the northern ambient light, and the office intensive spaces that make up the building’s southern half are equipped with operable punched windows with solar fins to control the intensity of the southern light. Water efficient landscaping and a green roof planted with sturdy, low-growth flowering sedum plants that filter and collect rainwater are among the other sustainable features in this state-of-the-art facility.