T H E C O M M O N W E A LT H M ED I C A L C O L L EG E
In the new building, the west research wing and east educational wing surrounds a shared courtyard. The linkage between the two buildings acts as the central hub where students can gather and socialize at the grand porch, courtyard and cafĂŠ. To the east, public ground floor spaces include additional student common areas, a bookstore and lobby for the 250 seat auditorium. The Research space is 63,929 square feet and can support 16 Principal Investigators (PIs) for wet research and 4 PIs for bioinformatics. In 35 laboratories, researchers can focus on diseases that are relevant to the area, including issues with aging as well as cancers of the colon, breast and lung. The state of the art flexible labs, stairways and common areas offer ample daylight and promote interaction and collaboration. A 5,000 sq. ft. vivarium and cagewash, as well as imaging facilities, support biomedical research for students and faculty. The ground floor of the north structure contains a simulation facility with 12 mock exam rooms for standardized patients (actors portraying patients) and several suites for simulated surgical procedures using high-fidelity robotics, as well as breakout rooms and small group work areas. The gross anatomy lab is also included in this area. All simulation spaces offer high definition video for real time viewing by professors or other students, or for later review. The new buildings incorporate principals of sustainable development and garnered the facility LEED Certification.