― Learning and Innovation Environments
Re‑imagining next generation learning environments
Contents
Introduction ― 4 Selected Projects ― 8 Our Team ― 52
Front Cover: Clemson University, Watt Family Innovation Center Left: CREATE
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― Learning and Innovation Environments
The evolving nature of Learning, Teaching, and Discovery Recent advances in brain science and learning research have revealed striking insights into how people learn. We now know that there are as many ways to learn as there are learners in the classroom. The “digital-native” generation in particular has developed unique modes of assimilating and comprehending information. The design of learning spaces must evolve to embrace these new learning models.
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Learning and Innovation Environments
We believe in the power of great design to shape the educational experience and inspire human success.
Fostering active learning Today, learning happens everywhere: in and out of the classroom, on and off campus, in formal and informal settings. Our buildings for higher education foster a new culture of learning that is increasingly multi-dimensional, global, social, experiential, and interactive. Our higher education practice welcomes the full range of learning spaces: from traditional classrooms to active, project-based environments and adaptive learning, to use of the latest technology for hybrid curricula, instant feedback, and immersive simulation environments. The best design solutions provide flexibility for unforeseen future advancements and support current understanding of how best to accomplish learning intentions and outcomes.
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― Learning and Innovation Environments
Selected Projects
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Clemson University, Watt Family Innovation Center Clemson, South Carolina Client: Clemson University Size: 70,000 square feet (6,503 square meters) Completion Date: 2016 Sustainability: LEED Silver ® Awards: Merit Award, Built Project, AIA Georgia Design Awards, 2017 Merit Award, AIA South Atlantic Region Design Awards,2016 IT Infrastructure and Systems, Campus Technology, Innovators Awards, 2016
― WHAT IT IS
The Watt Family Innovation Center (WFIC) is an environment where collaboration between students, faculty, and leaders from industry and government agencies generates ideas and solves complex problems.
The exterior of WFIC incorporates a highperforming glass skin, layered with various forms of electronic display technology (Mediamesh), which provides an interactive experience for both occupants and visitors.
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Clemson University, Watt Family Innovation Center
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
The team rooms enable industry and government partners to work sideby-side with students and faculty to discover new concepts for the marketplace.
Clemson University, Watt Family Innovation Center
George Mason University, Horizon Hall Fairfax, Virginia Client: George Mason University Size: 218,000 square feet (20,253 square meters) Completion Date: 2021 (Phase 1)
― WHAT IT IS
Innovative and active learning environments, maker spaces—including the Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX)—and collaborative workplaces to engage with faculty and researchers create “Destination Mason.”
←↑ The Word Wall: At the event entry, a story of creation + eternal questions towers above in the form of a dynamic wooden wall—video monitors shining through a thin veneer. An assortment of randomly juxtaposed literary works shine through—provoking and challenging students and visitors of the building. These unanticipated combinations of text invite you to explore new contexts and meaning. One’s understanding of these works as we know it is reframed, transformed, and yields enlightenment.
George Mason University - Horizon Hall
↑→ The World Wall: At the main entry, visitors to the building are greeted by a signifier beacon—The World Wall. The map’s orientation challenges a universal truth about how we perceive the world. The continents feature George Mason motto “Freedom and Learning” in an array of languages to ensure understanding that everyone has a place in the Mason community. The text is mounted perpendicular to the wall, meaning messages are only revealed through shadows as light passes through. The dappling of light and message embody the ideas of perspective, change, transformation and is another means to see differently.
Bowling Green State University, Schmidthorst College of Business Maurer Center Bowling Green, Ohio Client: Bowling Green State University Size:77,882 square feet (7,235 square meters) Completion Date: 2020 Sustainability: LEED Silver ®
― WHAT IT IS
Supporting a new era of business education, this incubator for study and collaboration resembles the modern workplace and prepares students for real-world careers.
Bowling Green State University, Schmidthorst College of Business Maurer Center
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
The light-filled atrium encourages a range of interaction; students can connect with peers, faculty, and employers in stadium seating and terraced small-group meetings.
University of Ottawa, STEM Complex Ottawa, Ontario Client: University of Ottawa Size: 285,000 square feet (26,477 square meters) Completion Date: 2018 Sustainability: LEED Registered®
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
The previous building on the site featured, “Les Yeux” - a pair of monumental eyes painted directly on the façade using a dot matrix. The design team recreated and integrated the work into the new building using digital technology.
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University of Ottawa, STEM Complex
― WHAT IT IS
The STEM Complex joins Science, Mathematics, and Engineering to form a new hub at the heart of the University’s “discovery district.”
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University of Washington, Life Sciences Building Seattle, Washington Client: University of Washington Size: 207,000 square feet (19,231 square meters) Completion Date: 2018 Sustainability: LEED Gold®, 2030 Challenge Compliant Awards: Northwest Region Education Category, Metropolis Planet Positive Awards, 2021 Top Ten Award, AIA COTE, 2021 Honorable Mention, SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture, Excellence in Architecture in a New Building, 2020 Merit Award, AIA Seattle Honor Award, 2019 Honor Award, AIA Northwest and Pacific Region, 2019 Best Projects in Higher Education/Research Category, ENR Northwest, 2019 Merit Award, AIA Washington Council, Civic Design Award, 2019 Building of the Year, Seattle DJC, 2018 Civic Design Award of Citation, AIA Washington Council, 2016
Integrated photovoltaics generate enough electricity to light all four floors of offices along the perimeter of the building and reduce unwanted solar heat gain, all while providing expansive views from within the offices.
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
Innovative sustainable technologies combined with natural materials showcase the intersection of technology and nature.
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University of Washington, Life Sciences Building
― WHAT IT IS
A next-level science facility for UW’s Department of Biology that enhances the connections between students, faculty, community, and the environment.
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Cornell University, Upson Hall Ithaca, New York Client: Cornell University Size: 160,000 square feet (14,864 square meters) Completion Date: 2017 Sustainability: LEED Platinum® Awards: Award of Merit, AIA New York Design Awards, 2018 Biennale Honor Award - Architecture, 2018 Biennale Honor Award - Interiors, 2018 Partners: Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis (LTL) and Thornton-Tomasetti
― WHAT IT IS
The vintage post-World War II-era engineering building has been fully renovated into a stateof-the art research and teaching facility.
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Cornell University, Upson Hall
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
A highly innovative, collaborative, and performative facility that sets a new standard for the re-invention of mid-century campus buildings.
University of Kansas Integrated Sciences Building Lawrence, Kansas Client: University of Kansas Size: 284,000 square feet (26,384 square meters) Completion Date: 2018 Awards: MGRIT Award, Education Category, DBIA, 2018 Best Social Infrastructure Finalist, P3 Awards, 2016 Partners: Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate
― WHAT IT IS
A paradigm shift in science education and research—colocating teaching, research labs, and collaborative spaces on the same floorplate to develop a new educational culture.
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We believe transparency encourages more participation in STEM-based disciplines by putting important work on display and making teaching and research labs comfortable, naturally-lit places to learn and work.
Our dedication to a collaborative P3 effort began with setting expectations for the design and construction models for the project within an accelerated schedule. Our BIM coordination efforts contributed significantly to identifying and addressing conflicts in advance and helped to reduce cost. 37
University of Kansas Integrated Sciences Building
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← Dedication to the traditions of KU and a commitment to well-being spurred the incorporation of the Jayhawk Trail, a pedestrian pathway running through the entire KU campus. The trail was incorporated into the plan of the complex and creates a strong link tying the campus, students, faculty, and staff together.
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
The design showcases science on display to inspire and encourage discovery for aspiring STEM students.
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Wake Technical Community College, General Administration Classroom Building Research Triangle Park, North Carolina Client: Wake Technical Community College Size: 109,000 square feet (10,126 square meters) Completion Date: 2017 Sustainability: LEED Registered®
― WHAT IT IS
A modern campus that is innovative, flexible, and adaptable — providing a next generation learning environment.
WTCC, General Administration Classroom Building
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
Sited at the intersection of industry and academia in the famed Research Triangle Park, local companies provided input to the design team on the types of training and skills required of graduates.
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Miami Dade College, Academic Support Center Miami, Florida Client: Miami Dade College Size: 135,000 square feet (12,542 square meters) Completion Date: 2012 Sustainability: LEED Gold® Awards: Outstanding Project , Learning By Design Education Architectural Awards, 2018 Excellence in Architecture Honor Award , AIA Miami Chapter, 2013 Honor Award for New Work, AIA Florida Chapter, 2013
― WHAT IT IS
The Academic Support Center seamlessly unites both learning and administrative functions into a cohesive whole.
Miami Dade College, Academic Support Center
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
The building is a learning tool, helping the college achieve its 10 Learning Outcomes, among which is to describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact humans make on the environment .
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Wichita State University, Experiential Engineering Building Wichita, Kansas Client: Wichita State University Size: 142,661 square feet (13,254 square meters) Completion Date: 2016 Awards: Excellence in Architecture, Honor Award, AIA Wichita Design Awards, 2017
― WHAT IT IS
A functioning co-location for partnerships between students, faculty, the university, private businesses, and public organizations.
Wichita State University, Experiential Engineering Building
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
Business incubators, accelerator spaces, and a 3D print center help student innovators develop their ideas; the technology transfer office then helps these budding entrepreneurs take their ideas to market.
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Our Team
Tom Butcavage
Jessica Figenholtz
Floyd Cline
Jeff Ziebarth
Safdar Abidi
John Long
LET’S COLLABORATE
Have a learning space design need? HigherEducation@perkinswill.com
Jeff Stebar
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Vandana Nayak
David Damon
Angela Whitaker-Williams
Jana Foit
Tony Gianopoulos
Kenneth Luker
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Since 1935, we’ve believed that design has the power to make the world a better, more beautiful place.
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That’s why clients and community members on nearly every continent partner with us to design healthy, happy places in which to live, learn, work, play, and heal. We’re passionate about human-centered design, and how design can impact our lives through sustainability, resilience, well-being, diversity and inclusion, and mobility. And we’re committed to advancing design through research. As a matter of fact, in 2018, Fast Company named us one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in Architecture. Our team of 2,500 professionals provides worldwide interdisciplinary services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, landscape architecture, and more, and includes our partners Portland, Nelson\Nygaard, Genesis Planning, and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR).
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For more information, contact: HigherEducation@perkinswill.com
