Higher Education Look Book

Higher Education

IKM Architecture provides higher education clients with innovative design solutions that are formed through stakeholder collaboration. These solutions go beyond solving an immediate need and create enduring value in the ever-changing landscape of academia.

Our strength lies in understanding the technical, cultural, and economic factors that are critical to our client’s mission. Our expertise with these aspects informs our work, in all stages of design, to improve the human experience. Thinking beyond technical solutions to integrate craft, beauty, and delight into the built environment, IKM offers insight into what is possible when boundaries are challenged. We believe that the creation of the built environment is an optimistic endeavor. It is a gesture of faith toward the future and an opportunity to change the way we look at education.

The classroom or teaching laboratory transforms a group of people into a community of minds that nurtures curiosity and fuels self-discovery. Whatever your vision may be, we partner with academic leadership to design dynamic and functional settings that elevate student achievement.

Carnegie Mellon University, Forbes Beeler Apartments

Our Process

IKM uses a formalized decision-making process in three parts. Our method is conveyed early in the design process so all parties understand their role, responsibility, and value as part of the project team. The Understand, Explore, and Decide method can be applied broadly to the entire design process or focused upon a challenging detail or layout.

Understand: First we seek to learn about your goals for the project, departmental needs, and limitations. The team analyzes objective or "hard" data through research and collects subjective or "soft" data from stakeholders. All the information is used to further a more complete understanding of each of the major issues.

Explore: Exploring involves the assessment of your current facility and space needs, and evaluation of alternative scenarios within the context of your project. Considerations include departmental assignments, utilization, and adjacencies. Improvements to the infrastructure are tested with budget and performance needs. Alternatives are reviewed with stakeholders and compared. Exploring often occurs parallel to Understanding, building off each other progressively.

Decide: Finally, decisions are made based on the gathered information and evaluated alternatives. The design team crafts a "final draft" to reflect the consensus input of stakeholders, which becomes the basis for moving forward with the project.

Stakeholder Engagement

IKM's method for stakeholder engagement leads to successful project outcomes through collaboration, open dialogue, and participation. Consensus can be achieved when there is an opportunity for constructive dialogue to generate ideas.

The approach we propose is interactive. The objective is to learn about you and your goals for the project, as well as determine the level of involvement of stakeholders in decision-making. We will work with you to craft a process that is unique to your needs and vision.

We lead a series of beneficial workshops throughout the design process where information is shared and captured in a short amount of time. IKM hosts these on-site events to engage with leadership, administration, and other stakeholders in a series of sessions to reinforce consensus building and an understanding of project resources. The sessions are designed to define the vision of the project, programmatic needs, and functional requirements and limitations.

The information gathered in the workshops becomes the basis for design solutions customized to your institution. Our knowledge of trends, industry standards, and data-driven design are blended with the user experiences and ideas that address the issues and priorities uncovered during the Understand and Explore phases. These best practices result in a design solution based on data while embodying the essence of your institution's unique culture.

Carnegie Mellon University, Wean Hall Lobby Renovation & La Prima Cafe Expansion

Trends in Higher Education

IKM knows that Higher Education is always evolving and trends often emerge within the physical learning environment. Students and faculty expect environments to change and reflect modern teaching and learning environments while embracing choices.

In the following pages, we highlight six trends in Higher Education design:

• Equity in Learning

• Hybrid Environments

• Flexibility in Design

• Right-Sizing Offices and Classrooms

• Campus Engagement and Student Life

• Touch-Down Spaces and Commuters

Equity in Learning

Equitable learning environments accommodate a range of learning styles, including individual preferences, collaborative work, and online learning. Achieving this requires all design decisions to be examined through the lens of equity. The project team is responsible for capturing feedback from the students, teachers, and community who will ultimately use the space. By determining user group values, evaluating teaching materials, and prioritizing flexibility, the classroom becomes an intentional environment that is inclusive of all learners.

Below: A variety of flexible furniture is shown here at the University of Pittsburgh Salk Hall. The ability to rearrange layouts and incorporate technology is inclusive of different learning styles.

Left: The option to fully customize the environment is on display here at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) School of Computing and Information. Flexible furniture, incorporation of technology, and overhead power sources promote an inclusive learning lab.

Below: Multiple desk arrangements can be seen here at the Pitt Computing Labs. Differing heights allow for user accessibility and customization.

Hybrid Environments

As teaching methods evolve over time, so do the needs of the learning environment. Infusing spaces with flexibility enables them to elegantly adapt to changing needs. Movable furniture is one simple solution that can accommodate multiple functions within a space. The integration of technology is critical to connect remote learners with the larger group. These hybrid environments can flex to suit users’ needs, ultimately allowing them to have a longer functional lifespan than traditional lecture halls and tiered classrooms.

Below: The Carlow University Simulation Lab permits students to learn in a multitude of ways. Shown is a hybrid environment where students are located in one room and interacting with a team virtually located in a different location.

Above: At the Pitt Computing Labs, individuals can choose to work entirely remotely or in small teams while presenting elsewhere virtually.

Left: The Gates Hillman Classrooms at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) provide a common hybrid learning environment. Students can utilize computer workstations to participate in remote learning or follow in-person instruction.

Flexibility in Design

Successful learning environments provide the resources to support a wide range of user activities. Creating a variety of workspaces within the larger area encourages students to choose the setting that works for them, from quiet focus rooms to collaborative group seating. The incorporation of maker spaces empowers students to explore technology and hands-on innovation. These resources are available for community use as well, providing a way for people of all ages to connect and learn.

Below: At the Pitt School of Computing and Information, the maker space also accommodates group instruction. Overhead power permits full control of the layout. With all furniture on wheels, the space can be rearranged and repurposed as needed.

Above: The Yttri Laboratory at CMU provides flexible breakout areas for collaboration and communication. A multitude of different seating types were provided along with writing surfaces on walls.

Left: With the CMU Gates Hillman Classrooms, the design team provided a variety of seating arrangements including perimeter seating.

Right-Sizing Offices and Classrooms

Academic spaces should change in accordance with teaching methods. Over time, this evolution provides the opportunity to adapt learning environments to best suit current uses. Effective academic spaces consider how students receive and process information to provide functional and appropriately sized environments. By reexamining classrooms and office space needs, architects can design learning environments that support modern teaching methods and encourage student engagement.

Below: At the Pitt School of Computing and Information, demountable partitions were provided to support the future flexibility of the space. Students are comfortable working with privacy but also appreciate natural light and views. Here, a film is applied to the mid-section of the glass for a balance of visibility and light.

Left: At the Pitt Johnstown Engineering and Science Building where collaboration space is at a premium, faculty preferred open and shared spaces to private offices.

Below: A large screen and powered seating were included in this Engineering and Science Building renovation to enable students to view both virtual participants and live instruction.

Campus Engagement and Student Life

For many students, the college campus offers more than education; it is a place for maturity and discovery at a critical time in their lives. The physical environment plays an important role in fostering this growth and accommodating student activities in a way that intentionally supports the health and wellbeing of all students. Each campus has the potential to unite the student body around school traditions and pride, while preparing them for a future beyond college. As architects, we must balance these goals with the available space and budget for a facility.

Below: The Murtha Center at Pitt Johnstown houses a veteran’s lounge, community outreach center, and an interactive gallery of the life of Congressman Murtha, a Johnstown native.

Above: The plaza at Bidwell Training Center creates a connection between two buildings where activity spills out and extends the usable program spaces.

Left: The Crimson Café at Indiana University of Pennsylvania added several different dining options within a single building, each having a unique style and decor. The micro-restaurant concept provides multiple choices for students to eat, study, meet, and socialize.

Touch-Down Spaces and Commuters

As the population of nontraditional students continues to grow, it is important for colleges to provide spaces on campus that are catered to commuters. These students often opt out of dorm accommodations and meal plans, and require alternative spaces for studying, collaborating, and recharging. As nontraditional students go through their academic schedule on campus, they should have a convenient “home base” where they can touch down between classes, food and beverage options for a quick snack, and other resources that are already provided to traditional students.

Below: For nontraditional and commuting students, where to leave your belongings is always top of mind. Here at the Carlow University Simulation Labs, we incorporated touch down rooms which include shelving and cubicles for personal belonging storage in a controlled environment.

Below: At the Pitt School of Computing and Information, adjacent areas to classrooms and learning environments provide the perfect place to grab a seat to have a snack, wait for class, study, or for chance interactions with faculty and students.

Left: A renovated area at CMU Mellon Institute's Collaborative Habitat provides areas to touch down for nontraditional students and commuters.

Higher Education Capabilities

IKM Architecture is an architecture, planning, and interior design firm that has been in continuous practice since 1911, serving our clients from our Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida locations. Our practice has focused on technically complex projects for higher education clients where the convergence of vision and creativity yields solutions of extraordinary value. Examples of this can be seen throughout our portfolio, but specifically in our work for Higher Education.

Design Services

• Site / Zoning Analysis

• Program Development

• Human-Centered Design Planning

• Workshops

• Interior Standards

• Conceptual Design

• Color and Finish Consultation

• Schematic Design

• Design Development

• Custom Millwork and Furnishings Design

• Graphic Design and Signage

• Construction Documentation and Specification

• Bidding or Negotiated Pricing

• LEED /Sustainability Analysis

• 3-D Image / Animation Development

• Administration of Construction Contract

• Food Service Planning

• Post-Occupancy Evaluation

• Virtual Reality Design Integration

Planning Services

• Campus Master Planning

• Strategic Planning

• Site Analysis, Evaluation, and Selection

• Feasibility Studies

• Facility Assessments

• Urban Design

Learning Environments

Today’s learning environments are able to accommodate a range of instruction methods and learning styles within one space. This is made possible with flexible furniture arrangements such as moveable partitions that can easily be customized. Technology is also a key learning tool; multiple forms of technology should be integrated to optimize communication, particularly with remote students. As learning spaces support multiple group sizes and activities, they should also promote health and wellbeing by offering a comfortable environment with natural light.

Below: The Pitt Johnstown Engineering and Science Building incorporates several different learning environments into its design. This picture shows a flexible room with of moveable furniture. The space is not cramped and vision glass allows the opportunity for light to infiltrate the space where exterior windows were not possible.

Below:

Left: Lab space, as seen in the Pitt Johnstown Engineering & Science Building, provides a different kind of learning environment outside of the traditional classroom. In these spaces, more control and organization is needed based on the program requirements.

At the new Saint Francis University Connors Family Fine Arts Center, students can learn hands-on in this raw, open environment similar to an artist's studio.

Residential Life

College offers many students the opportunity to gain independence for the first time. Residential facilities should provide the safety and resources to encourage healthy lifestyle choices. It’s important that the accommodations create a home away from home that serves all residents equitably. Dormitories are also a hub for socializing and building community. The physical facilities impact the success of resident life staff and student programming, as well as the overall wellness of on-campus students.

Below: The Forbes Beeler Apartments at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) was designed with equity in mind and accommodates a variety of rooming preferences. Stakeholder engagement sessions determined that each unit would be equipped with two kitchens and bathrooms so students share with a maximum of four others. A common living and dining space is the central social feature of the unit.

Above: A variety of space types are provided in the CMU Forbes Beeler Apartments that support collaboration, social, leisure, and wellness activities as well as retail space where a local grocer operates a fresh market.

Left: The Grove City College Residence Hall demonstrates a modern residential style while being complementary to the campus context. The central hall provides a common social space between the men’s and woman’s wings that serves both student and alumni events.

Science and Technology

Science and technology spaces have the potential to demonstrate a university’s prowess in a particular field. State-of-the-art facilities not only enable cutting edge research, but also draw top talent to the school and can even act as a showcase for funding efforts. Newly designed S&T buildings encourage cross-disciplinary research and flexibility to allow for continuous evolution to ensure that the university remains at the forefront of research.

Below: The Nursing Simulation Lab at Carlow University is at the intersection of academics and science and technology. By creating a setting that mimics real world scenarios, students can prepare to make important decisions and practice their skills. The lab also provides the students with an opportunity to review performances and receive critique.

Left: CMU’s Guo Lab prioritized natural light and transparency to support the investigator’s comfort while taking an early and aggressive approach to coordination of building systems.

Below: CMU's Yttri Lab combined four separate labs to create a highly computational lab and research space.

Collaboration Spaces

Collaboration is a skill that contributes to professional success; the college campus should foster collaboration among students as well as faculty to encourage cross-disciplinary connections. Collaborative spaces are most effective when they are able to adapt to the needs of each user. This includes the incorporation of modular furniture, accessible “design for all,” convenient technology to optimize workflow, and amenities for both traditional and nontraditional students.

Below: Collaboration space can take many forms. In the Pitt School of Computing and Information, collaborative solutions included moveable furniture and a place to write. The users take advantage of the furniture within the space and customize its layout to fit their needs.

Above: At CMU's Forbes Beeler Apartments, the design team took advantage of all types of space in the floorplan. In this image, small collaboration alcoves were carved into the footprint to encourage moments of interaction between students.

Left: Small niches are strategically located within the Pitt Computing Labs to promote collaboration outside of the classroom.

Administration Spaces

In support of the business of education, administrative spaces must accommodate a variety of functions and occupants. This environment is often a prospective student’s first impression of the university, but also houses educator offices, private rooms for one-on-one conversations, and space to meet with donors and supporters. With a strategic and flexible layout, administrative spaces can support all these diverse activities and more, to ultimately prepare students for professional life post-graduation.

Below: The Family Resource Center at West Virginia University Medicine Children’s Hospital includes spaces for meetings, recruiting, fundraising, and events, but the main purpose of the space is to serve families with hospitalized children. Kitchen, laundry, and lounging areas are available as well as a sibling space equipped with video gaming technology.

Left: Administrative spaces are an example of how an institution approaches leadership and culture. This space within CMU Mellon Institute's Collaborative Habitat accommodates different types of areas that provide flexibility and functionality for communication.

Below: The Duquesne University Admissions Office was designed to be welcoming and informative to potential students and their families.

Food Service

Dining halls and other food service areas are popular locations for students to recharge and socialize. A variety of seating arrangements can support this by accommodating individual students and communal dining. The integration of technology also brings convenience to dining, through made-to-order food, grab-and-go snacks, and mobile ordering capabilities. Food service areas have the opportunity to influence student wellness with healthy food and drink options, become a learning tool for teaching healthy cooking, and even serve as a showcase for recruitment.

Below: At Penn State University's Food Science Building, we expanded on the building's program to include a new food destination for building users and students on campus. Expansive glazing was used on the perimeter of the space to draw people in.

Above: This renovation to CMU's Wean Hall, a Brutalist style building from the 70s, provides a new gathering space within the existing building. A cafe serves as a wayfinding landmark within the floorplan.

Left: This rendering shows a reimagination of Bidwell Training Center's Culinary Arts program. The new food hub becomes a destination that includes spaces for learning and community interaction.

West Virginia University, Erickson Alumni Center

IKM's History with Higher Education Clients

• Allegheny College

• California University of Pennsylvania

• Carlow University

• Carnegie Mellon University

• Case Western Reserve University

• Chatham College

• Concord University

• Duquesne University

• Grove City College

• Indiana University of Pennsylvania

• LaRoche College

• Lock Haven University

• Medical College of Pennsylvania

• Mt. Aloysius College

• Reading Hospital and Medical Center, School of Health Sciences

• Robert Morris University

• Slippery Rock University

• Saint Francis University

• The Ohio State University

• The Pennsylvania State University

• University of Chicago Medical Center

• University of Pittsburgh

• Waynesburg University

• West Virginia University

Saint Francis University Connors Family Fine Arts Center

Square Feet: 14,000 | Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build | Project Value: $6.5 M

Following a successful fundraising effort, St. Francis University pursued construction of a new black box theater facility with an expanded program. Through a combination of traditional construction and pre-engineered metal building, the Fine Arts Center accommodates performance and pre-function space, music practice rooms, an art studio, offices, and theater support. Guiding principles developed during IKM-led engagement sessions allowed the vision of the project to thrive while adhering to a tight budget.

Below: Traditional construction allows for a high level of customization in the performance and pre-function spaces, while pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) offers flexibility for future modifications as the fine art program evolves.

Below: The state-of-the-art black box allows for a variety of audience arrangements and performance modes. Students will use the catwalk and tension grid overhead to manipulate lighting while learning about theater production.

Left: The PEMB houses an art studio and a band practice space. Garage doors to both spaces open onto a paved area that allow the program to spill out on nice days. The plaza will also host University-wide events.

Carnegie Mellon University

Forbes Beeler Apartments

Square Feet: 119,000 | Delivery Method: CM at Risk | Project Value: $49M

The Forbes Beeler Apartments accommodate a total of 266 beds in apartment-style units outfitted with kitchens. The design team engaged with staff and students to understand and address priorities for health and wellness. In collaboration with CMU and the construction manager, IKM implemented several pre-construction strategies that enabled this LEED Gold-certified facility to be completed three months ahead of schedule.

Below: Gathering space at the main entrance activates the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Beeler Street and serves as a gateway to the campus from the east.

Above: The two-story building lounge includes a terrazzo-and-glass stair, lantern lighting, and a double-height feature wall showcasing an evolving collection of significant objects and art.

Left: This lounge accommodates studying, collaboration, and recreation, with branding visible from the exterior and great views of CMU’s campus.

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Engineering & Science Building

Square Feet: 65,400 | Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build | Project Value: $17.6 M

IKM performed a study, working with the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown to examine the existing departmental utilization and define programmatic needs to meet the forecast demand of the expanded program offerings. After completing the study, IKM provided design services for the renovation of the Engineering and Science Building and Krebs Hall. Our team worked closely with the university to achieve their stakeholder vision and sustainability goal of being LEED-Certified to reduce overall building water usage, reduce energy used for mechanical and electrical systems, and install more sustainable materials to create a better indoor environmental quality.

Below: The renovation included a 3,000-square-foot addition to the front of the building which is comprised of a new entry sequence and connection to the adjacent School of Nursing, allowing light deep into the student spaces and putting science on display to the campus.

Left: The design incorporates more opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration and informal meeting spaces within the existing building footprint.

Below: The program includes spaces like the chemistry instructional lab shown below and also consisted of engineering instructional labs, research lab, classrooms, lecture halls, and 38 faculty offices and related work spaces.

Carlow University Nursing Simulation Labs

Square Feet: 6,000 | Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build | Project Value: $1.1M

IKM renovated Carlow University's Celtic Simulation for Innovative Learning (CSCIL) which included the design of three high fidelity simulation nursing labs, a nine bed nursing skills lab, and one dedicated nurse practitioner exam room. IKM started the design process by studying the patterns and behaviors of both faculty and students in the existing space. We took those observations as well as the results from a group workshop and discovered additional needs that were able to be incorporated into the final design.

Below: IKM designed the below lab space to simulate a real healthcare operation work environment. Students are able to interact with mannequins and complete all protocols and operations they would need to perform in a clinical environment.

Above:

Left: IKM identified that first impressions were particularly important to stakeholders for recruiting and fundraising efforts. Knowing this, we selected the vibrant school colors to create an entry sequence that speaks to the high-tech philosophy of the program.

The above space is considered the heart of operations during a simulation exercise. We designed the control room with upgraded technology and a layout that is effective for efficient operations.

Carnegie Mellon University

Yttri Biological Sciences Lab | Mellon Institute Collaborative Habitat

Yttri Lab: Square Feet: 1,500 | Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build | Project Value: $622K

Collaborative Habitat: Square Feet: 2,985 | Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build | Project Value: $609K

IKM worked with Carnegie Mellon University to enhance two spaces within a 1930's era building. The Yttri Lab included the transformation of wet lab modules that were part of the original building layout into a single, open and inviting computational laboratory space surrounded by rooms designed for experimentation. The Collaborative Habitat project addressed challenges with campus traffic and a compartmentalized entryway that didn't foster interaction within the Institute and the College of Science.

Below: IKM worked closely with Dr. Yttri to transform this space from an existing typical lab into a space where his team could be more comfortable transitioning quickly back and forth between intense computational work and hands-on lab work. The workstations are arranged in an open office environment with modern seating and tables with integrated monitor arms and cable management systems. The furniture is movable and adaptable with mobile file storage cabinets and tables featuring height adjustability for user comfort and working preference.

Left: A separate area of the Yttri Lab provides a gathering space for team meetings and collaboration supported with audio visual technology, soft seating, a variety of furnishings, dry-erase marker writable wall surfaces, and a small kitchenette.

Below: In developing the Collaborative Habitat, IKM captured the natural daylight to foster human interaction. This resulted in a gathering space that speaks to the open and collaborative nature of the research done in the College of Science.

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

John P. Murtha Center

Square Feet: 6,942 | Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build | Project Value: $23M

The Murtha Center aims to preserve and extend Congressman Murtha’s legacy and serves as a gateway between the University of Pittsburgh and the Johnstown region. The facility includes a large multipurpose room suited for a wide range of events, an interactive gallery of the life of Congressman Murtha, a military veterans’ lounge, and offices for community outreach. A memorial garden celebrates the contributions of Mr. and Mrs. Murtha. The project’s design also meets LEED certification standards for sustainability.

Below: IKM refreshed an existing campus expression of field stone, glass, panelized siding, and steep roof lines to give the Murtha Center a strong personal identity while fitting comfortably into the architecture of the existing campus. Solar orientation allows the stone and glass to take advantage of heat gain during the long winter months making the building both comfortable and enjoyable to inhabit.

Above: The building houses an interactive gallery depicting the life of Congressman Murtha. A veteran's lounge honors Murtha's military service while supporting the academic pursuits of veterans currently enrolled on campus.

Left: The large assembly space honors the spirit of the late Congressman. It's a place where the campus community can engage the world stage to debate the issues that are changing our world.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Cafe

Square Feet: 15,000 | Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build | Project Value: $6.5M

This on-campus cafe consists of two micro-restaurants, a soup and sandwich kiosk, and a coffee concept. Each micro-restaurant has its own kitchen, and common back-of-house areas accommodate a receiving area, storage, utilities, waste and recycling, and an office. The coffee concept and two micro-restaurants are massed and arrayed to identify each as a unique venue within the whole. The coffee concept anchors the corner of the site and addresses pedestrian circulation from the Fine Arts Plaza diagonally across South Eleventh Street.

Below: The Crimson Cafe creates a campus node. Located on a main circulation spine, the exterior plaza makes a physical connection while a visual link is made through the fully glazed facade of the dining area.

Left:

Below: The facility has platform specific seating as well as a general seating area. The two-level general seating area accommodates 400 people and incorporates an exterior patio.

A distinct vibe was provided for each dining concept. From casual to social to a finding a quiet place to study, there are seating and dining options for everyone.

Mount Aloysius College

The Center for Health Science & Technology

Square Feet: 48,000 | Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build | Project Value: $11.4M

IKM was selected to perform a study and renovation to support the growth of the Health Sciences and Nursing Program. During the study, IKM worked with stakeholders to asses utilization and functional demands to provide recommendations which led to being chosen for the renovation. The expansion consisted upgrading a building from 1997 and adding a lecture space, additional lab space, classroom, office, and, a communal learning space.

Below: The new 32,000 square foot addition to the Center for Health Science & Technology added much needed classroom, teaching laboratory space, and student collaboration areas. This addition was key to accommodating the expanding program needs of the department and the recruiting goals of the college.

Above: The new building entrance opens into a public circulation space and a learning commons area supporting informal student collaboration. Tailored to the diverse needs of students, this space serves as a hub where they can seamlessly transition between classes, providing a conducive environment for preparation and study sessions.

Left: The new simulation lab space is dedicated to the radiation technologist program and is just one among multiple simulation areas that support the complex.

Reading Hospital & Medical Center School of Health Sciences

Square Feet: 62,000 | Delivery Method: CM at Risk | Project Value: $23 M

The new School of Health Sciences Facility is a three-story building that has been designed to facilitate and support a learning strategy centered around the continuum of care approach in patient healthcare. This model encourages multiple clinical disciplines working together to advance patient recovery. Nursing students work in conjunction with other clinical disciplines to understand the condition of patients so that recovery can be accelerated. The facility supports a 400 student nursing program, surgical and radiation technologies, pastoral care, and an EMS training program.

Below: The entrance plaza provides students with an outdoor space to gather prior to entering the building. The plaza also seamlessly connects the academic facility to the adjacent healthcare campus. The entrance and pre-function space provide a comfortable transition to the 300 seat auditorium that is one of the main features of the first floor.

Left: There was a substantial audio/visual component to this project allowing for content to be captured and shared through a variety of educational settings.

Below: IKM's extensive healthcare planning and design expertise enabled us to establish an authentic clinical simulation teaching environment. Each simulation lab features a digitally manipulated mannequin, controlled by instructors in the command center, accurately presenting specific symptoms for student response.

University of Pittsburgh

School of Computing & Information, Bellefield Professional Building

Square Feet: 10,000 | Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build | Project Value: $2.1M

Previously spread out over multiple buildings, this renovation project brought faculty and students from the Pittsburgh School of Computing and Information (SCI) together in a single location. The space is intended to encourage flexibility, innovation, experimentation, and collaboration

Below:The kitchen area is two-sided, accommodating multiple functions: one side faces the exterior wall, offering a casual breakroom with views to the outside. The other side opens up to the large conference rooms via a modern folding wall, and can act as a catering kitchen when hosting clients and events.

Above: During visioning sessions, the design team utilized images and emotional exercises to establish the interior design theme. The occupants favored a campfire in the woods, which inspired collaborative spaces at the center, while private focus rooms align along the exterior like tents.

Left: Interior and graphic designers collaborated to create a film for focus room glass walls, ensuring privacy with natural light. The pattern draws inspiration from the computer science concept of "distributed minimum spanning tree."

Bidwell Training Center

Culinary Arts Training Center | Bidwell Urban Farm Shop

Culinary Arts Training Center: Square Feet: 11,100 | Delivery Method: CM at Risk | Project Value: $7 M

Bidwell Urban Farm Shop: Square Feet: 6,100 | Delivery Method: CM at Risk | Project Value: $2 M

IKM conducted a feasibility study for Bidwell Training Center's culinary arts program, resulting in the addition of approximately 3,500 square feet for flexible classrooms and offices. The teaching kitchen was expanded, the production kitchen reorganized, and the dining area redesigned for multiple uses. A roof garden was integrated to connect the horticulture program with culinary arts. The Urban Farm project revamped the entry, added community flex space, and introduced a retail shop for direct Greenhouse purchases by community members.

Below: A state-of-the-art teaching kitchen is designed for the Bidwell Culinary Arts program. This provides space for students and faculty to work alongside each other and learn together. New, cutting-edge equipment was conceptualized and planned for with improved site lines and ergonomics for instruction purposes.

Left: The dining area was re-imagined to provide multiple uses, from cafeteria style seating to banquet seating, to a performance venue to support the music and jazz program.

Below: The exterior addition to the Bidwell Urban Farm seamlessly integrates into the existing building fabric. This new entry welcomes in the community and provides opportunity for signage.

University of Pittsburgh Recreation & Wellness Facility

Square Feet: 300,000 | Delivery Method: CM at Risk | Project Value: $190 M

This new facility is part of the University of Pittsburgh's (Pitt) 30-year comprehensive masterplan and is a transformational project that links the university's upper and lower campus. This hub will be a focal point for student activity, health, and wellbeing. The facility includes dining options, a recreation pool, jogging track, weight-lifting equipment, and multi-activity courts for basketball, volleyball, and other activities. IKM is specializing in designing the dining facility for this new hub.

Below: This image is of the first floor dining area. This area includes a separate teaching kitchen for students to learn more about healthy living. Food options include healthy alternatives and an integrated juice bar.

Above: This state-of-the-art facility serves as a connection point in the heart of the campus and is centered on brining people together.

Left: This highly energy-efficient building consists of plenty of natural light, sustainable storm water management, and biophilic design elements to achieve Pitt's commitment to sustainability. The building will target LEED certification.

Lock Haven University Health Services Building

Square Feet: 35,000 | Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build | Project Value: $8.5 M

The new Health Services Building for the branch campus of Lock Haven University in Clearfield, PA was designed as part of a larger campus master plan. The three-story facility is designed specifically to support the graduate level physician assistant program. Classrooms, lecture facilities, teaching labs, simulation labs, and a cadaver facility are designed into the building to support advanced degree endeavors.

Below: As the second building on the branch campus, the Health Services Building draws upon the design aesthetic established by Founder's Hall. Masonry, punched window fenestration, and standing seam metal roof continue the established building tradition.

Below: Teaching labs are designed to support individual and small team investigation. Each lab has a chemical fume hood that supports safe practices.

Left: This branch campus facility allows students to pursue advanced degrees in the health sciences while remaining in their community. Each classroom is equipped with remote learning technology that connects this facility with other academic assets on the main campus.

Penn State College of Medicine

Hershey Medical Center, Basic Science Building Renovation, Microbiology & Immunology Labs

Square Feet: 6,042 | Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build | Project Value: $1.7M

This project included the phased renovation of two laboratories. In addition to wet labs, the project included offices, lab support rooms such as tissue culture rooms for processing specimens, a radioactive isolation room for processing radioactive cultures, and a main lab area with high bench areas for experiments and analysis. New lighting, HVAC, medical gas, and electrical service for each lab were included.

Below: The renovation provides state of the art wet lab space that is flexible and adaptable and serves as a recruitment tool for the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and its ongoing research mission.

Above: Each bench is equipped with laboratory gas, power and data ports, useradjustable task lighting, and adjustable height desk space for write-ups and seated computer work.

Left: This collaborative “ballroom” style environment allows for plenty of modular bench space for individual projects, shared equipment space within the lab, access to sinks, chemical fume hoods for flexibility, and features such as drench showers and emergency eyewash stations.

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