Robertson Construction - Case Study: Warner Library

CASE STUDY

THE John L. & Christine Warner Library & Student Center

C O N S T R U C T I O N

THE John L. & Christine Warner Library & Student Center

In Newark, Ohio, a new library on the campus of The Ohio State University/Central Ohio Technical College operates as far more than a library. It’s a gathering place. The heart of social life. A campus center.

Within the 84,000 square foot, $20 million facility, students can grab a cup of coffee, relax with friends over a dish of pasta, play a game of foosball and browse the latest periodicals.

Students can conduct research at computer stations, cozy up with a book next to the three-story stone fireplace or find solitude inside ten specially designed study rooms.

The visionary, multiple-use environment is on the forefront of a design and planning shift among campus planners and architects that specialize in academic institutions, particularly regional, non-residential campuses.

The perennial challenge for these facilities: create a sense of place for students to participate in a well-rounded college experience.

“Traditionally, regional campuses have been seen by many students as a

secondary choice to our main campus counterparts,” said Brian Boehmer, assistant director of facilities at the Newark Campus and a registered architect.

“We have made significant investments in our buildings and grounds over the past 15 years on the Newark Campus. Our goal is to provide a superior educational experience for our students with the types of amenities that they might find on a larger campus. But we also like to promote the fact that we offer more personalized attention to our students, smaller class sizes, free parking­- and you can still get the football tickets too.”

“The design concept for the Warner Library was about combining a library and student center and making the space as open as possible. There’s no wall that separates the library from open spaces,” Boehmer said. “We did a lot of research when we were planning the building. We tried to find

a comparable facility - they just don’t exist. There’s nothing like this space on any other college campus in the country.”

In the last decade, the Newark campus has been transformed by tens of millions of dollars in capital investment and the capstone of that evolution has been the Warner Library.

“We understand that the majority of students and parents who visit a college make their decision based on their first impression,” added Boehmer. “We go out of our way to make our buildings and grounds as beautiful as we can. We want that wow factor!”

The Newark library definitely wows visitors. The main library has a towering, central space overlooked by a round mezzanine. With a classical design, high-end finishes and custom wood and oak trim, beautiful accents create

distinctive focal points throughout the expansive, airy building.

“The design is what is referred to as a ‘fusion building,’ which combines more than one function under the same roof,” said Frank Beans, a principal at The Collaborative Inc., the Toledo-based architecture firm that has specialized in higher education and campus planning for three decades.

“And yet,” Beans said, “Choice remains critical. At the Warner Center students can seek out an environment that suits their personal learning style – a high-profile public space or a study nook conducive to solitude.”

Robertson Construction was chosen as the lead construction partner for the project and began building the facility in April 2007.

Construction was completed on time and on budget in August 2008. “We hit the mark,” said Johnson.

Robertson’s record on the job site for safety was flawless. The team never had a single loss time accident and an OSHA visit resulted in zero fines.

A complex construction job demands an unyielding commitment to scheduling and for the Warner library, this was an especially demanding endeavor because of the necessity of working around class schedules and student walkways while ensuring safety stayed the No. 1 priority. “It required a large and intensive scheduling approach and we managed the entire project’s schedule,” said Jeremy Johnson, vice president of project management at Robertson Construction.

“Robertson did an outstanding job for the campus,” Boehmer said. “From the very beginning, I could sense the dedication to the project. When the building began to come up from the ground there was a tremendous amount of pride. They were going to do whatever it took to get the job done on time. I’ve worked and been in the construction business for a long time and very few projects have gone as smoothly as the Warner Center went. I give credit to Robertson and to the collaborative spirit they created among everyone involved. Everyone came together.”

Customer Profile

PROJECT Profile

GENERAL CONTRACTOR:

On the combined campus of The Ohio State University-Newark and Central Ohio Technical College, enrollment is skyrocketing and the commitment to capital investment remains unwavering. Tens of millions of dollars have been invested in new buildings and facilities over the last decade.

John L. and Christine Warner Library and Student Center, an 84,000 sf, $20 million multi-use building operates as a student center, library and food court with conference rooms, class rooms and office space. Construction on this project was completed on time and on budget in August 2008.

Robertson Construction helps institutions in higher education meet the changing needs of their students. From libraries to student centers, academic buildings to athletic complexes, Robertson’s team of project managers delivers quality, cost-conscious construction on time and on budget. Robertson has collaborated with other leaders in higher education including The Ohio State University, Ohio University and Franklin University. Visit www.robertsonconstruction.net.

Beans said the design also reflects a broader shift in campus planning to address the changing needs of today’s students. “Studying is a social act for the generation of students on campus today,” Beans said. “It’s about seeing and being seen. The way to make that work from a design standpoint is to expose as much of that activity under one roof as possible.

The library, the food court, the student lounge, the café, the second floor balcony – it is all open and visible.”

ARCHITECT AND DESIGN FIRM The Collaborative, Inc. www.thecollaborativeinc.com