By Neall Digert, Ph.D., MIES ��

Developing athletic facilities in dense, urban environments can present a unique set of challenges. While these types of projects are often constrained by surrounding development and environmental barriers, design teams are still expected to deliver safe, high-performance spaces that support rigorous activities. At the same time, designs must anticipate the realities of climate change by embedding resilience and sustainability at every level.��

Columbia University’s Philip & Cheryl Milstein Family Tennis Center stands as a model of resilient design, demonstrating how to successfully overcome these challenges. Perched on the northern tip of Manhattan between the Hudson and Harlem Rivers, the state-of-the-art facility employs a vertical building strategy, advanced daylighting solutions and flood-resilient design concepts to create one of the most forward-thinking collegiate athletic centers in the country.����

This project also reflects broader industry trends: . With showing that 88% of metropolitan areas gained population between 2023 and 2024, and the projecting increasingly severe storms from climate change, the importance of space-conscious, adaptive design will only continue to rise.��

Meeting the Urban Challenge��

When Perkins&Will set out to design the Milstein Family Tennis Center, the firm faced the dual challenge of replacing an aging structure within Columbia University’s Baker Athletics Complex while also reflecting the institution’s commitment to resilient, high-performance design. Given the site’s proximity to two major waterways in one of the nation’s most densely populated areas, the project required a facility that met NCAA standards with six indoor and six outdoor courts, plus training areas, locker rooms and social spaces.��

Adding to the complexity, the building had to maintain strong visual and physical connections to the surrounding park and waterfront, despite the site’s vulnerability to flooding.��

“The motto for this project was fitness for all, and our team needed to create both a functional athletic facility and a community space within a constrained footprint, on land that has narrowly escaped severe flooding in the past and faces ongoing risk in the future,” said Stephen Sefton, Design Director, Principal, Perkins&Will.��

Building Up, Not Out��

To surmount the site’s restrictions, the design team implemented a vertical building strategy: elevating six indoor courts above the 100-year floodplain surrounded by resilient support areas with six more courts stacked above on the roof, with six more on the roof. This tiered design supported spatial and functional needs without compromising the surrounding landscape.������

By building vertically, Perkins&Will was able to incorporate social gathering areas and training amenities while also creating opportunities for more strategic integration of daylighting features and view corridors.��

Harnessing Natural Daylight��

Daylighting was a central design driver for the Milstein Family Tennis Center. To enhance visibility, comfort and energy efficiency, the design team specified Kingspan Light + Air’s with Verti-Lite grid pattern and integrated windows for the indoor courts. The translucent panels allow for abundant, diffused natural daylight while minimizing glare and thermal hotspots, key factors in .����

“Natural daylight was essential for this project, not only to reduce reliance on electric lighting, but to create an environment where athletes can perform at their best,” Sefton continued. “The UniGrid system gave us the ability to balance soft, even daylight with clear sightlines, ensuring the space feels bright, comfortable and connected to its surroundings.”��

Research continues to validate these benefits. from the Lighting Research Center demonstrate that exposure to daylight influences serotonin levels and alertness, helping reduce fatigue and sharpen cognitive performance, critical in high-intensity environments such as athletic training and competition. Similarly, a peer-reviewed published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that workers with greater exposure to daylight reported higher vitality, better sleep quality and longer rest duration than those in windowless spaces. In athletic facilities, these findings reinforce the role of daylighting as a performance strategy, supporting sharper concentration, faster reaction times and improved overall well-being.��

Framed windows integrated into the translucent wall system build on this approach by introducing curated views of the Hudson and Harlem rivers. The façade’s vertical rhythm of metal fins and white cladding references Manhattan’s maritime and industrial heritage while delivering a clean, contemporary aesthetic.��

Read the full article, including more on designing for resilience and efficiency, in the .

Neall Digert, Ph.D., MIES, is Vice President, Innovation and Market Development, for Kingspan Light + Air North America.��

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By Arathi Gowda, FAIA, AICP, LEED AP BD+C, LFA

Architecture, engineering and construction professionals strive to build sustainably, but there are always valid reasons why a project falls short of initial north star sustainability goals. However, with a seasoned team that can tune design and construction techniques for market conditions, higher levels of sustainability can be reached.

Recent projects at two universities, both at different points on their sustainability journeys, demonstrate how to achieve these deep green goals. At Princeton University, the new TIGER and CUB facilities support Princeton’s campus-wide decarbonization and water use reduction targets. The Paul J. DiMare Center at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School is now the most energy-efficient building on the campus and one of the most energy-efficient research laboratories in all of Massachusetts.

How do these teams do it? Did their clients help them by setting high expectations in their brief? Did they have stellar design and construction partners? Did the policy landscape make it easier to make the case for green? The answer is yes, and the team had the expertise in delivering.

Going Beyond Building as Usual

Although Princeton and UMass Chan are at different points in their sustainability journeys, both had clear goals and laid down a gauntlet to deliver best-in-class sustainability projects.

In 2019, Princeton updated its Sustainability Action Plan with goals for campus operations and building projects, emphasizing designing and developing responsibly. TIGER and CUB were briefed as energy facilities central to Princeton’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by the university’s 300th anniversary in 2046 by phasing out natural gas, investing in geo-exchange and utilizing thermal storage to significantly reduce peak energy cost.

One of the principal features of the project was a ground-source heat exchange system, more than 1,200 cumulative bores, some up to 850-feet deep, which act as thermal batteries to store seasonal heat far below ground. Two new thermal energy storage (TES) tanks adjoin each facility, storing a ready supply of water to heat and cool the campus daily while shaving peak demand and cost. In combination with on-site and off-site solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation, these integrated systems support Princeton’s transition away from fossil fuel combustion and will be used for the next century. Princeton’s new systems significantly reduce potable water use as well, by harvesting and storing heat instead of rejecting it via cooling towers.

At the University of Massachusetts, the project team was challenged to implement strategies to address emissions associated with designing, building, maintaining, and operating campus buildings and grounds. Since 2013, the Chan Medical School Office of Sustainability has guided public sustainability goals. The Paul J. DiMare Center was developed under the first version of the Chan School of Medicine’s Sustainability Plan, with a strong emphasis on lowering emissions. The 2021–2025 Climate Action Plan further challenged project teams to design buildings with an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) at least 20% lower than the university’s existing building stock.

A critical component of decarbonization and electrification for the Center was ground-source heat exchange. The campus lawn across from the building conceals 75 boreholes drilled 500 feet in the bedrock, providing closed-loop heating and cooling. This system generates 88% of heating and 50% of cooling needs while reducing operational greenhouse gas emissions by 42% compared to the existing central plant. Additionally, advanced energy recovery loops 80% of the energy for heating, cooling, and humidification back into the building and a triple-glazed, articulated pleated façade eliminates perimeter heating and improves thermal comfort. The result is an enviable EUI for a research lab: 130 kBTUs per square foot per year.

Read more about driving innovation with an integrated design process in the July/August Maintenance and Operations digital edition of ���سԹ�.

Arathi Gowda, FAIA, AICP, LEED AP BD+C, LFA is a principal with ZGF Architects.

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LOS ANGELES — Construction is officially underway on the $72 million Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building at Los Angeles City College (LACC), a major project that will anchor the center of campus and advance the Los Angeles Community College District’s (LACCD) sustainability goals. Designed by Steinberg Hart, the four-story, 67,230-square-foot facility will combine historic architectural character with contemporary instructional and sustainable design elements.

When complete in early 2027, the new building will serve as a prominent gateway to the LACC campus, providing sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills. The building will house instructional rooms, IT help areas, campus safety operations, a multipurpose room, and faculty and student resource spaces. A fourth-floor outdoor terrace will provide a gathering space with panoramic views, but natural light will be prominent feature inside as well thanks to fritted curtainwall facades on the east and west lobbies that help to maintain temperature and reduce glare while maintaining privacy and visual connection to the surrounding campus.

Jacobs will serve as the project manager, with McCarthy Building Companies serving as general contractor. McCarthy Building Companies recently broke ground on the project — continuing a longstanding relationship with LACCD.

“We are excited to bring the Cesar Chavez Administration & Workforce Building to Los Angeles City College as it will offer a variety of much needed resources while also serving as an anchor to welcome students and staff,” said Michael Kim, senior vice president at McCarthy Building Companies, in a statement. “This is our tenth project with the LACCD, and it is such a pleasure to create robust educational facilities that produce significant learning outcomes.”

Sustainability is central to the project’s design, which aligns with LACCD’s goal of achieving net zero by 2040. The facility will include an 80 kW AC solar array system and a battery energy storage system (BESS) capable of providing up to eight hours of backup power. The surrounding central quad will feature native vegetation, light-colored paving, and a Solar Reflection Index (SRI) “cool” roof to mitigate the urban heat island effect. All sustainable elements are being designed to meet LEED Gold certification standards.

Founded in 1929, LACC is the oldest of the Los Angeles Community Colleges and has played a pivotal role in shaping higher education across the region, including serving as the original home of what became the University of California, Los Angeles. Today, LACC continues to serve one of Los Angeles’ most diverse communities, including East Hollywood, Hollywood, Silver Lake and Echo Park. The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building was funded by Measure CC.

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By Doug Bevier

Read the full story and see more project images in the July/August issue of ���سԹ� and subscribe today to receive free editions in your inbox.

As mainstays of innovation and progress, universities are under growing pressure to address climate change. And with a profound understanding of the scientific imperative to act, many are prioritizing decarbonization across every facet of campus life, from operations and academics to community engagement. At the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), transforming the physical campus by replacing traditional design and construction methods with prefabrication has significantly reduced its carbon footprint. The Tidelands, a student housing project situated in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood, showcases how this shift to prefabrication, combined with a thoughtful design-build process and rigorous performance targets, has helped lower carbon emissions, create healthier spaces and set new benchmarks for sustainable campus development.

Balancing Aesthetics, Carbon Emissions and Cost

In response to San Francisco’s urgent need for high-density affordable housing, The Tidelands doubled the amount of housing available to UCSF medical students and trainees, offering 595 units across two buildings.

The need to balance aesthetics, environmental impacts and cost became a driver for thoughtful design solutions across the project, inspiring creative problem-solving rather than hindering owner priorities for a timeless building and minimized carbon footprint. The architect, engineers and UCSF came together early in the project, which allowed for the selection of healthy building materials that were also affordable, the integration of passive strategies and cross-team coordination for faster, informed decision-making.

Together, the teams determined that the Tidelands would use Clark Pacific’s Infinite Facade with glass fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC). The design team tested multiple materials for the building envelope, ultimately discovering that GFRC concrete had significantly lower impacts than other options. The Infinite Facade is a building envelope system, prefabricated offsite that is tested for ASTM and AAMA air, water and vapor penetration, and meets or exceeds Title 24 building code requirements for every climate zone in California.

Clark Pacific collaborated with UCSF to determine a window-to-wall ratio that would keep the cost within budget while also focusing on thermal comfort. The design team explored multiple scenarios and the effect each would have on energy systems, cost and performance.

Kieran Timberlake also conducted a façade sun exposure analysis to determine the impact of solar heat gain on the rooms. The design team selected billows, and horizontal and vertical sunshades were built directly into the prefabricated panels on the sun-facing elevations and flat panels on the others. This strategy, combined with the continuous insulation inherent in the Infinite Facade system, ensures the Tidelands project not only meets but surpasses Title 24 prescriptive requirements on performance. The ability to achieve the desired U-value from a single provider eliminated the need for additional subcontractors and consultants, and simplified energy analysis.

Windows were installed during the manufacturing process. The Tidelands project was completed six months ahead of schedule, and UCSF has one point of contact for the building envelope warranty.

Doug Bevier is director of preconstruction at Clark Pacific.

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The unit delivers consistent air volume flow in constant systems using an integrated damper with an indexed flow knob for quick and convenient airflow balancing. Eurovent-certified to meet global standards, the Adriatic is customizable to suit a variety of needs. Options include a connection casing to conceal ventilation ducts and water pipes, on-site adjustments, a hinged faceplate for easy access and a range of color choices upon request.��

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By Lindsey Coulter

The all-electric, zero-net energy Maplewood School in Menasha, Wis., won’t welcome its first students until the fall, but is already setting a new standard for sustainability. The school will not only include 160 geothermal wells and a 1.14-MW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system but will also enhance occupant health and wellbeing with its state-of-the-art ventilation system, wealth of daylighting and connections to the surrounding natural environment.

The 223,430-square-foot facility will replace the community’s existing 1970s-era middle school, which was undersized and offered little flexibility for modern learning and instruction. In contrast, the new building is comfortably designed for a 1,000-student capacity. It also marks the second of a long-range, three-phase facility plan that consolidates grades 5-8 into one beautiful new building.

Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) served as the project’s designer and structural, plumbing and mechanical engineer, collaborating with construction manager and sustainability consultant Miron Construction Co. Inc. The team also included electrical engineer MSA and energy modeler and commissioning agent HGA. Eland Electric designed and installed the PV system, microgrid and battery back-up system.

New Learning Environments

In developing the project, Miron Construction and EUA worked closely with the district’s Vision Committee to evaluate multiple building and renovation scenarios. Together, the group decided to pursue new construction as the most practical and impactful solution for the district’s long-term space, flexibility and instructional needs.

Jackie Michaels, senior project manager with EUA, and several colleagues shadowed students in the existing school to understand how a new building could better meet their educational and environmental needs. The experience helped inform the new structure’s orientation to take better advantage of views to the nearby wetlands and further committed the EUA team to prioritizing open spaces and natural daylight.

The result is a dynamic and colorful new two-story structure with two wings that will form an exterior courtyard. The building’s broad, light-filled hallways and thoughtful use of the school’s signature Bluejay Blue hue throughout will create a home for students and educators for decades to come, without putting a strain on the environment or taxpayers.

“The building is fundamentally designed as two schools within one school building,” said Michaels. “There are separate office and administrative areas for the intermediate school and the middle school. Each school is then further broken down into smaller learning communities or neighborhoods.”

Each learning community has its own classrooms, lockers, restrooms, collaboration areas, student intervention and support areas, and staff resource areas as well as a flex café that serves as a cafeteria and multi- purpose space. Between the two separate schools is a two-story ‘central spine’ common area. Located off the spine are shared amenities such as the library, art and music rooms, Career and Technical Education areas, the gymnasium and the fitness center.

Meeting Sustainability Goals

Innovation also came into play in the construction process. Fitting all 2,747 solar photovoltaic panels onto the new building’s roof (while avoiding mechanical systems and vent stacks), maintaining the project schedule and working within a constrained footprint forced the team to get creative.

“The biggest challenge was building on the site of an active school and the logistics of working around the existing building,” said Ben Samolinski, project manager with Miron Construction.

“One of the longest items on the schedule is the drilling of the 160, 500-foot-deep geothermal wells, which took months,” added Steve Lenz, superintendent with Miron Construction. “For this project, a unique challenge was keeping a dry(ish) area for the well drillers to work whenever it rained.”

However, these challenges didn’t deter the project team or the Menasha Joint School District, which has become a leader in energy conservation. Over the past 10 years, the district’s commitment to sustainability has reduced its overall electrical load by more than one million kWh and 850 therms of natural gas—even as the district has added more than 80,000 square feet of facility space.

Maplewood School will exemplify this commitment. The project was awarded a $103,546 incentive from Focus on Energy and is anticipating receiving more than $3 million from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credit direct payment for the geothermal bore field and system, photovoltaic system, the 500-kW battery back-up system, microgrid and EV charging stations. While energy modeling anticipates that the project will consume 1.4 million kWh annually, the PV system will offset all energy consumption. This will save the district nearly $190,000 per year in utility bills (based on today’s energy prices) and millions over the life of the facility.

Interior Innovations

Sustainable values will also be reflected inside the building, which will offer hands-on environmental educational opportunities using the building itself as a teaching tool.

“For example, the geothermal mechanical room has glass walls so that the students can see the system working,” said Theresa Lehman, director of Sustainable Services for Miron Construction.

Interior material choices were also critical to ensuring an optimal learning environment. EUA, which joined the AIA 2030 Commitment, strives to reduce embodied and operational carbon to minimize greenhouse gas emissions during construction and throughout a building’s lifecycle. Additionally, in accordance with the AIA’s Materials Pledge, the firm selects products that prioritize health, social equality and environmental wellbeing. As such, the project utilizes multiple low- to zero-VOC materials, which do not trigger respiratory issues like asthma and allergies, while the air-handling system is designed to bring in more fresh air than is required by state code. The spacious design also incorporates non-flicker LED light fixtures to ensure even light levels, while special attention to daylighting and classroom acoustics creates a calming environment.

In developing Maplewood School, Miron and EUA also referenced benchmarking and standardized test scores from a previous joint school project and found that nearly every standardized test across every subject in every grade improved when intentional steps were taken to improve the indoor environment. Additionally, behavior improved, allergy and asthma medication administered by the school nurse declined by 75%, communicable diseases declined by 425% and absenteeism declined 15%.

“While we could not pinpoint the statistics to one particular thing, we believe these improvements are a result of the combination of natural daylight, classroom acoustics, increased indoor air quality, the lighting, the interior colors and the sit-stand furniture in addition to students and staff taking pride in their new school environment,” Lehman said.

Funding Sustainable Goals

The project team is well versed in delivering projects with high sustainability standards but understands that significant investments in green systems and design strategies can be intimidating at the outset.

Brian Adesso, Menasha Joint School District’s director of business services, encourages districts that are on the fence about sustainability projects to connect with other entities that have implemented similar technologies and getting facility management teams up to speed before committing to investments in energy- efficient equipment and renewable-energy technologies.

“Also, it’s imperative to understand your community (members) and their viewpoints,” Adesso said. “Being fiscally responsible is important to the taxpayers of Menasha, so we made sure we were being good fiscal stewards of taxpayer resources.”

Adesso also calls the project’s IRA funding “a game changer” when it comes to covering items that require upfront capital costs, such as the project’s geothermal bore field, EV charging stations, roof-mounted PV system, microgrid and battery storage system.

“When taking into account the IRA tax credit direct payment, the geothermal system was cost-neutral if not less expensive than a traditional code- compliant HVAC system,” Adesso said.

For the project team, the Maplewood School project is proof that a school can be healthy and high-performing as well as economically feasible.

“From a people perspective, the building occupants are healthier, happier and more productive,” added Lehman. “From an energy efficiency and renewable energy perspective, there are capital cost premiums, but there are also incentives available to reduce the capital costs, as well as impactful returns on the investments. It’s so important to look at lifecycle costs.”

Construction is expected to wrap up on the groundbreaking project in April before the new school welcomes its first students for the fall semester.

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Sata brings a wealth of knowledge in campus planning and construction from his most recent role as vice president of operations and capital projects at California College of the Arts in San Francisco. There, Sata led, planned and executed major infrastructure projects while ensuring collaboration between build teams, staff and students. Sata also worked for the Solano Community College, Santa Rosa Junior College and the Sacramento City Unified School District, where he oversaw the delivery of numerous prominent projects. Having completed his doctoral dissertation on sustainability planning and implementation, Sata combines environmentally focused strategies with student engagement strategies to create state-of-the-art learning environments. ��

“I am dedicated to fostering collaboration and innovation to create an environment where every student can thrive,” said Sata in a statement. “As Vice Chancellor, I will focus on strengthening partnerships, advancing strategic initiatives, and overseeing facilities planning and development to ensure our campuses provide the best possible learning environments for students.”��

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ONEONTA, N.Y. — The State University of New York Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) campus is a model of sustainability in action. The university has amassed numerous green accolades over the years, and over the past decade has doubled down on reducing its environmental impact. ��

Since 2015, the institution has hired an energy manager, installed EV charging stations, added an Environmental Sustainability major program, installed building water meters, published a greenhouse gas report,��developed a Campus Climate Action plan and much more. Along the way, SUNY Oneonta has completed several LEED-certified construction and renovation projects. The Physical Sciences Building marked the campus’ first LEED Gold certification in 2017, and the most recent LEED accolade marks another important milestone.��

A Platinum Achievement��

SUNY Oneonta’s Alumni Hall earned LEED Platinum certification earlier this month, which is the highest level of recognition award by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Alumni Hall, which earned LEED v4 ID+C 82 points, marks the campus’ first LEED Platinum building, bringing the SUNY system to a total of nine��LEED Platinum facilities, and is an important step toward meeting SUNY Oneonta’s Clean Energy Master Plan goals.��

“Green buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people to study and work,” said Lachlan Squair, the associate vice president of facilities and planning, in a statement. “The renovation of Alumni Hall is an important milestone in our SUNY Oneonta Clean Energy Master Plan, which seeks to make the campus carbon neutral by 2045, eliminating the use of fossil fuels for building operations.”��

Steps Toward Sustainability��

The journey to LEED leadership was extensive. Alumni Hall was an existing facility that was built in 1958 to serve as the campus library. To reimagine the decades-old facility as a modern, sustainable teaching and learning space, the structure required a $22 million overhaul, which was led by Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation of Albany, N.Y. The project, which began in 2021, ultimately transformed the��61,920 square feet of building space��into a vibrant, modern facility. The building is now home to classrooms, offices and meeting spaces dedicated to the Business, Economics and Political Science departments as well as the Division of University Advancement.��It includes active-learning classrooms, entrepreneurial spaces (including a simulation room where students can learn��stock trading), study and lounge spaces, and a top-level conference room with direct views to the campus and neighboring greenspace. ��

Bringing functionality into the 21st century also required a plethora of sustainability and energy-efficiency upgrades. Ample glazing improved daylighting throughout, and the building is heated and cooled by ground-source heat pumps and an array of 39 geothermal bores. This project also earned the 2024 AIA NYS Excelsior Award for excellence in adaptive reuse.��

Current Milestones and Future Goals��

The new and improved Alumni Hall officially reopened to the campus community in September 2023, marking the final project in the University’s 2013-23 Campus Facilities Master Plan.��

“This is an important milestone in SUNY Oneonta’s Clean Energy Master Plan, which seeks to make the campus carbon neutral by 2045, eliminating the use of fossil fuels for building operations,” Squair said at the grand opening, according to a university statement. “Renewable energy purchasing offsets the electrical power required to operate the building. This building is extremely energy efficient, reducing campus carbon emissions by 130 tons annually through new technology and building materials.”��

Even with a pinnacle LEED certification under its belt, SUNY Oneonta continues to strive for greater resource conservation and energy savings. Other improvement projects include renovations to Fitzelle Hall, the campus’ Welcome Center and the Red Dragon Outfitters building. The University was also recognized as a REV Campus Challenge Leader for 2020 from NYSERDA, applauding its clean energy investments as well as its work to integrate sustainability into curricula, research and development.��

These green values are shared across the SUNY system and the state of New York. For example, the State University Construction Fund Directive 1B-2 includes a systemwide commitment to clean energy, energy-saving retrofits on existing buildings and construction of new buildings to achieve net-zero carbon standards. Meanwhile, state-level mandates have also pushed SUNY campuses to prioritize sustainability. Executive Order 166 requires the campuses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, while the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requires carbon-free electricity systems by 2040. SUNY Oneonta’s proactive steps toward sustainability position the university well to meet these ambitious goals.��

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By Lindsey Coulter

When leaders of St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minn., first embarked on the development of the Schoenecker Center for STEAM—a new facility to house additional space for the growing School of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences—they gave the project team some guiding principles: The facility had to reflect inclusivity, innovation, adaptability and connection. It also had to be sustainable.

Balancing these priorities and incorporating the University’s values was a welcome challenge for the design team of Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) of New York and the St. Paul office of BWBR. Together with McGough Construction of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the team celebrated the opening of the Schoenecker Center in February 2024. In its first year, the building has not only helped the University put those values into action, but it has also created a more cohesive and collaborative environment between academic programs and has earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Interdisciplinary Design��

The $110 million Schoenecker Center was developed through the University’s strategic planning process, which identified the need for new spaces for arts, media, sciences and engineering—programs that rarely overlap in more traditional academic settings. However, to make better use of funds and create efficiencies, University leaders envisioned bringing these programs into one building.

“Early in design and programming, it became clear that careful space planning would be critical to the project’s success, as the University sought to weave each unique curriculum of study together to maximize learning possibilities and outcomes for every student,” said Greg Fenton, AIA, director with BWBR and principal on the project. “We led University leadership to understand what spaces would be required as a minimum for the diverse program mix to succeed since the total need exceeded the square footage that was afforded.”

Ultimately the design team delivered a five-level, 130,000-square-foot, L-shaped building that features a tall atrium space at its hinge point, vertically uniting all program spaces. The horizontal spine offers double-height spaces for study and gathering. A secondary overlay of horizontal organization in the building’s wings gives each department a home base while still encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. In total, the building includes biology, chemistry, physics and robotics labs; a two-story engineering high bay; rehearsal and performance spaces for the music program; a newsroom; art studios and an art gallery; a cafe and gathering/study spaces.

Many areas needed to be versatile to support varied uses throughout the year, so flexibility was key. Within many of the teaching labs, for example, casework and infrastructure was limited to the perimeter walls, allowing flexibility for the center of the space. The design team also worked hard to understand what was required of each area and to deliver optimized spaces through careful coordination, especially with considerations for acoustic design. The final design executed this vision in unique ways: civil engineering is next to art curation, music rehearsal is adjacent to geology, and television broadcast and sound studios were placed near material labs.

“As a person in a creative industry, it’s always interesting to me when universities, through the organization of their facilities and the adjacencies they create, provide these moments where people in different disciplines can really inspire each other,” said Melissa Del Vecchio, FAIA, partner at RAMSA.

Del Vecchio, who worked alongside RAMSA colleagues Graham Wyatt and Kasey Tilove, added that the position and orientation of the Schoenecker Center were also critical to building a literal and metaphorical bridge between the old and the new. The building’s L shape mirrors the older O’Shaughnessy Building (which also houses science programs), and the two structures were connected via a multi-level transparent bridge to create a greater sense of cohesion between the spaces.

“Often, people ask me if anything surprised me about the project when it was complete, and if anything, it’s the bridge element,” Del Vecchio said. “It helps to make those existing science buildings feel fluidly connected to the new spaces—and helps occupants of the older building feel like the amenities in the Schoenecker Center are also amenities for them.”

Intentional Interiors

To determine the building’s interior aesthetic, RAMSA and BWBR met with student groups to discuss colors, furnishings and finishes and what the students needed in their academic and study spaces. While the building houses more industrial disciplines, students advocated for soft and warm physical spaces and furnishings. As such, the interiors include bright whites balanced with warm wood tones and the school’s signature purple.

Students also asked for ample natural light and views to the outdoors, which complemented the University’s desire for visibility into academic spaces. In response, the design team incorporated transparency inside and out via ample glazing. For example, the choral performance space is completely transparent from the north to the south side of the building.

“It’s a pretty deep building, and the fact that we could get the penetration of natural light completely across the floor plate, so that wherever you are you have a really good sense of natural light and where you are relative to the exterior, was tricky,” said Del Vecchio. “We went through a lot of different options to find the combination of spaces that would allow this, and it turned out to be very effective.”

Incorporating the engineering high bay also offered an opportunity for the design team to get creative and put edu cation on display.

“(The high bay) is not the kind of asset that’s usually available to undergraduates. So, it’s a unique thing that the University is providing,” Del Vecchio said.

For maximum functionality in the highly technical space, which even includes a working bridge crane, the design team incorporated a 4-foot-thick concrete strong wall and a strong floor as well as a large bay door, ensuring the space can be accessed by concrete- and steel-delivery trucks.

However, the programs and spaces were organized in such a manner that the heavy machinery does not impact things like fluid dynamics studies in the science and engineering labs or interrupt recordings in the television studio, musical practice rooms, or other areas that require noise control and specific acoustics.

“(The project) demonstrates that with a strong vision, seemingly diverse programs can indeed be together and work together to equal more than the sum of the parts,” Fenton said.

The design team also ensured that a significant artifact—a remnant of the Interstate 35W bridge—was given a place of honor in building’s atrium. The bridge collapsed over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in 2007. Thirteen people were killed in the bridge failure, and another 145 people were injured. The engineering artifact now serves as a reminder to engineering students of their education’s critical nature in developing spaces and structures that will safeguard health and safety.

Going for the Gold

This sense of responsibility and care for community also extends to the University’s broad focus on and the definition of sustainability.

“Sustainability has become embedded within our culture across the University, and the Schoenecker Center is a prime example of our teams coming together to develop creative solutions that drive our sustainability goals forward,” said Jim Brummer, vice president for facilities management, in a statement.

To achieve LEED Gold certification, the project incorporated numerous sustainable features, including highly efficient HVAC systems, LED lights with an integrated control system and exterior lighting fixtures designed to reduce light pollution. The project also introduced a 241,000-gallon underground cistern that will collect rainwater to be reused for greywater irrigation. The cistern has already reduced the building’s outdoor water use by 100%, while low-flow fixtures have reduced indoor water use by 38%.

The well-insulated envelope and roof and a new energy-optimizing central utility plant help reduce overall energy consumption. Additionally, 76% of regularly occupied spaces offer quality views of nature. The use of durable, sustainable materials—such as terrazzo, concrete and wood—create a warm, yet industrial atmosphere while reducing the building’s environmental impact. The cumulative effect of these resource-conserving systems is expected to save the University more than $100,000 annually.

The project also received innovation credits by factoring in social equity and inclusion, as the organization of programs helps make a more diverse range of students aware of career opportunities in STEAM.

“Since the building is home to many majors, we wanted students in every program to feel welcomed, included and inspired to collaborate across disciplines,” said Fenton, who worked with BWBR colleague Brian Lapham, AIA, senior project manager on the project. “The collection of spaces demonstrates an incredible and unique University vision, allocation of precious resources, and long-term investment in not only science but also arts education.”

The facility also earned LEED points for integrating EV charging stations, using local building materials and endeavoring to reduce construction waste. The accomplishment builds on the University’s commitment to obtaining a minimum of LEED Silver certification for all new construction that exceeds 25,000 square feet. The campus is already home to the LEED certified Schoenecker Hall North and Frey Hall, and with the completion of the underconstruction Anderson Arena, the University will soon comprise nearly 1 million square feet of high-performing, LEED certified spaces.

“Pursuing sustainable building practices just makes sense for us at St. Thomas,” said John Silva, the university’s director of construction, in a statement. “Whether it’s reducing our carbon footprint, providing a better environment for staff and students, or helping reduce energy consumption and operational costs, it just makes sense—and it’s also the right thing to do.”

Designing new buildings for LEED certification is part of the University’s larger plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. Over the past decade, St. Thomas has reduced carbon emissions by 51% by implementing a variety of energy-conservation measures in new and existing buildings. In 2024, the University was also honored with its second STARS gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Project Team:

• Design Architect: RAMSA
• Architect of Record, Lab and Science Planner: BWBR Construction Manager: McGough
• Lighting Design: Buro Happold
• Landscape Architect: Damon Farber
• Engineering, Planning and Design Consultant: ESI Engineering
• Acoustic Design: Jaffe Holden
• Civil Engineer: Kimley Horn
• Structural Engineer: Palanisami & Associates
• Building Performance Consulting Engineer: RWDI
• Design Assist: Salas O’Brien
• Technology Consulting: True North Consulting

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