NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
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The Technology Center is an addition to an existing, threefloor, u-shaped building located at the end of the formal campus quadrangle. The existing u-shaped classroom building replaced an earlier building, destroyed by fire, which provided a strong focus for the quad.
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The new facility restores the campus focus and reflects the campus’ changing mission. NSU was originally a “normal” school, or teacher’s college. Now, the technology center sends instruction to schools throughout the state via its electronic classrooms.
NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
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The Technology Center supports and enhances learning with ‘smart’ classrooms, technology fellow and faculty offices, student technology support and computer repair facilities, broadcast and recording studios, laboratories, testing rooms and software support areas.
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The Technology Center is aligned with the primary axis of the campus’ quadrangle. Its simple butt-glazed curtain wall and the vertical mullion grid accentuating its center provides a striking focus. Very thin floor plates (which can be seen through the curtain wall) were used to match the floor-tofloor heights of the existing building while providing as much headroom for technology infrastructure as possible.
NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
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The curtain wall is clear glazing that responds to different lighting conditions and times of the day with a changing mix of reflectivity and transparency. Linear lighting on all three levels of the perimeter corridor enhances the horizontality of the facade during evening hours.
NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
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The curved feature walls opposite the glass curtain wall are composed of a series of materials (wood, glass and wallboard painted in a variety of colors) bound together by an aluminum grid that complements the curtain wall mullions. The panels are of different lengths and appear random when viewed on each floor level, but are seen as a unified mosaic when viewed from outside at night through the entire expanse of glass.
NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
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The floors are stained concrete. The shadows thrown on the corridor’s radius create an interesting, ever-changing pattern in the sweeping circulation path.
NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
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Interior classrooms and offices receive daylight and privacy from high ribbon-glass in the feature wall adjacent to the corridor and curtain wall. The ‘smart’ classrooms are furnished with technology to transmit text, photographs and microscope images throughout the world. The studios allow flexible arrangement for a variety of sizes and needs.
NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
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NSU Campus D
The new Technology Center is located on the campus of Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. The addition provides both literal and mission-based focus for the University.
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NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
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NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
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Computer Lab Testing Lab Edit Studio Studio Equipment Room
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Control Room Sound Office Storage Elev. Equip.
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NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
Vestibule Office Storage Computer Repair Conference Student Commons
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Courtyard Work Study Information Help / Media Storage Shop Existing Building
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NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
Office Smart Classroom Waiting / Break-out Testing Sec / Work
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Work / Shop Server Tech Fellows Existing Building
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NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
Office Conference / Classroom Dean’s Office Sec. Office Lounge
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Multi-Purpose Forensics Study Alcove Existing Building
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NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
NSU Technology Center Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD