Association for Learning Environments Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 | Phoenix
EDspaces 2025 Nov. 5-7 | Columbus, Ohio
President Torrey Sims
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David Sisson Architecture (DSA) has welcomed Steven Gilbert, AIA, to the firm as Project Manager. A registered architect and alumnus of NEIT and Roger Williams University, Gilbert brings more than 14 years of architectural experience to the firm, including an extensive background in managing institutional, educational and commercial design projects for clients including Harvard and TripAdvisor. Gilbert is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Boston Society of Architects. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Task Force 1 Urban Search & Rescue as a Structures Specialist. Gilbert’s strong leadership, design, and project management experience bolster the firm’s capabilities and capacity as DSA continues to expand in the multifamily and commercial development markets.
SmithGroup announced that Michael Paul Krug, AIA, has been elevated to serve as the new Science & Technology Studio Leader at the firm’s Detroit office. Krug succeeds the group’s long-time leader Nick Salowich, who is retiring in early 2026. With more than 20 years of experience, Krug has focused his career on delivering technically complex, world-changing research and innovation projects across the industry and possesses the precision, expertise, and leadership required to propel clients, partners, practitioners and teammates into this new era of advancement. Krug has a deep understanding of the drivers impacting science, technology and research institutions across the country, and his portfolio boasts an array of long-term, large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects for notable clients including General Motors, Michigan State University and Dow Research & Development.
Omni Architects recently promoted Mark Manczyk, AIA, to Senior Associate. Since joining Omni in 2016, Manczyk has demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical expertise and dedication to both clients and colleagues. He quickly distinguished himself by earning his architectural licensure just two years after obtaining his master’s degree from the University of Kentucky. His portfolio includes higher education, civic, and workplace projects that reflect Omni’s commitment to designing spaces that support educational opportunities and community engagement, both key to building a stronger Kentucky.
The Texas Society of Architects recently recognized Donna Kacmar, FAIA, the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design professor at the University of Houston, with the 2025 Award for Outstanding Educational Contributions in Honor of Edward J. Romieniec, FAIA. Kacmar graduated from Texas A+M University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental design and a Master of Architecture. She is a National American Institute of Architects 2004 Young Architects Award recipient and was elected to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2009. She has served on multiple boards including the Houston AIA, Rice Design Alliance, Architecture Center Houston Foundation, Texas Society of Architects and AIA Strategic Council. Kacmar has also taught at Rice University, and she founded the Materials Research Collaborative.
Marc Tsurumaki, AIA, will serve as the next director of the Master of Architecture program at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (Columbia GSAPP) beginning in the spring of 2026. Tsurumaki is a founding partner of LTL Architects. Having taught at Columbia GSAPP for more than two decades, Tsurumaki joined the school’s full-time faculty as Professor of Professional Practice in 2024. He also serves as President of the Board of Directors at the Storefront for Art and Architecture.
To mark its 40-year anniversary, Anderson Brulé Architects is adopting a new name, ABA Studios, reflecting a refreshed identity that expresses the direction and vision of its new generation of leadership. Founded in 1984 by Pamela Anderson-Brulé, FAIA, and Pierre Brulé, the award-winning firm has spent four decades creating places imbued with purpose and meaning that celebrate learning, community, culture and wellness. Throughout its history, ABA Studios has earned acclaim for many of its projects, including award-winning libraries, academic institutions and civic spaces. Notable projects include the joint-use Martin Luther King Jr. Library for the City of San Jose and San Jose State University, CSU East Bay’s CORE Library, and Academic Core Buildings for Ohlone College.
Troy Johnson has been named president of Apogee Architectural Metals, responsible for the Alumicor, EFCO, Linetec, Tubelite and Wausau Window brands of aluminum framing and fenestration products. Apogee Architectural Metals is a segment of Apogee Enterprises, Inc. Johnson has been a member of Apogee Enterprises’ executive committee since 2020. He most recently served as the President of the Apogee Architectural Services segment and Harmon. His career includes more than 25 years of experience in the glass, glazing, and aluminum framing and fenestration industry. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering from Michigan Technological University and attended the Minnesota Management Institute program at the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management.
The global integrated design firm DLR Group announced recently that Atlanta-based Collins Cooper Carusi Architects (CCCA) has joined the firm. The addition of CCCA marks a strategic expansion of DLR Group’s presence in the Southeast, establishing a permanent operation in Atlanta that complements its existing offices in Charlotte, Durham, Nashville and Orlando.
Founded in 1987, CCCA is a community-focused design firm with expertise in early learning and K-12 education, higher education, on-campus student housing, recreation centers, and design for public- and private-sector clients. In addition to receiving recognition for design from the AIA, IIDA, ALA and other industry organizations, CCCA was honored as Georgia AIA Firm of the Year in 2020.
CCCA’s design philosophy is grounded in active listening and creative visioning which inspires innovative design solutions for clients. The firm’s recent projects include Emory University’s Convocation Hall and Kennesaw State University’s The Summit First-Year Student Housing residence.
The firm’s 40 design professionals will operate as DLR Group|Collins Cooper Carusi from its existing office in Atlanta. Eric Richardson, AIA; Sandy Cooper, AIA; Fiona Grandowski, AIA, IIDA; Jeff Juliano, AIA; and Clayton Daspit, AIA, LEED AP, will join DLR Group as Principals, ensuring leadership continuity and a seamless transition for clients and staff.
Wells, a leader in prefabricated building solutions across the United States, announced the appointment of two new leaders within its growing Sealants and Restoration team: Eric Kobeska as Director of Sealants – Midwest and Traye Speidel as Director of Sealants – Great Lakes. These appointments reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its service offerings and operational excellence.
Kobeska brings more than two decades of construction industry experience to this new role, advancing through various roles in general contracting, from project engineer to vice president of operations, bringing a thorough understanding of project execution and the ability to drive success both in the field and behind the scenes.
Speidel brings a wealth of experience from his work with both regional and national general contractors, where he has led the successful delivery of large-scale projects totaling more than $7 billion in completed work. He is known for his honest, direct leadership style and a results-driven mindset that consistently delivers highperformance outcomes.
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Design-Build for Education Projects A comparative analysis of progressive and traditional approaches
By Aaron Jobson
In the realm of educational facilities, the design-build project delivery method has gained significant traction due to its efficiency, cost-effectiveness and collaborative nature. This approach, which integrates design and construction services under a single contract, offers a streamlined process with two primary approaches: traditional designbuild and progressive design-build. This article will explore the use of design-build project delivery in education projects, comparing the two approaches and looking at successful project examples.
Understanding Design-Build
Design-build is a project delivery method where a single entity, known as the designbuild entity (DBE), is responsible for both the design and construction of a project under a single contract. This method contrasts with the traditional design-bid-build approach, where the design and construction phases are separate, and the owner must
manage two contracts. The design-build method can offer several advantages, including faster project delivery, reduced costs, and improved communication and collaboration among project stakeholders. However, there are important considerations for any education project pursuing this delivery method to ensure it is set up for success.
The Role of Design-Build in Education Projects
Educational institutions are increasingly adopting the design-build method for their construction projects. The reasons for this shift are manifold:
1. Efficiency and Speed: The design-build method allows for overlapping design and construction phases, which can significantly reduce the overall project timeline. This is particularly important for educational institutions that often face tight schedules and need to minimize disruptions to the academic calendar.
2. Cost Savings and Certainty: By integrating design and construction services, the design-build method can reduce costs associated with project management and coordination. Additionally, the DBE can provide a guaranteed maximum price early in the process, offering greater cost certainty.
3. Collaboration and Innovation: The design-build method fosters a collaborative environment where the design and construction teams work together from the project’s inception. This collaboration can lead to innovative solutions that enhance the functionality and sustainability of educational facilities.
Traditional Design-Build Approach
The traditional design-build approach involves selecting a DBE based on a competitive bidding process. The DBE is responsible for both the design and construction phases, and the project is typically delivered under a lump sum or guaranteed maximum price contract. Key features of the traditional design-build approach include:
1. Single Point of Responsibility: The owner works with one contract, simplifying communication and accountability.
2. Faster Project Delivery: With design and construction phases overlapping, projects often progress more quickly.
3. Cost Certainty: The DBE provides a lump sum or guaranteed maximum price early in the process.
4. Bridging Documents and RFQ/RFP: The client must engage a separate architecture or program management firm to work with stakeholders to create a preliminary design for the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals process, often called bridging documents. This is essential to make sure the DBE scope is clear, and the district receives competitive proposals.
This approach is well-suited for projects with defined scopes, minimal expected changes and a short timeframe for completion. Some of the challenges can be the time required to create bridging documents and to conduct the RFQ/RFP process — as well as potential changes in design and approach from the bridging documents to the DBE team. It should also be noted that the district gives up a certain amount of control over the details of the final design to the DBE to stay within the contracted guaranteed maximum price.
Progressive Design-Build Approach
The progressive design-build approach builds on the principles of traditional designbuild but offers greater flexibility during the early stages of a project. In progressive design-build, the owner selects a DBE based on qualifications rather than cost and collaborates closely during the design phase before finalizing the price and construction details. Key features of the progressive design-build approach include:
1. Two-Phase Process: The project is developed in two stages — pre-construction (collaborative planning and design) and construction.
2. Owner Involvement: Owners actively participate in design decisions, ensuring alignment with project goals.
3. Flexibility: This approach allows adjustments to scope, budget and schedule as the design progresses and includes significant community engagement during the process.
4. Streamlined Selection Process: Because the DBE does not provide a guaranteed maximum price at selection, a combined RFQ/RFP process can be used, and separate bridging documents are not required.
The progressive design-build approach is ideal for complex projects with evolving or uncertain budget, scope and design requirements. It is particularly beneficial for educational institutions that need to accommodate changing needs and priorities and would like to include significant community engagement throughout the project lifecycle.
CASE STUDY: Gavilan College Hollister Campus
Delivery Method: Progressive Design-Build
Location: Hollister, Calif., Gavilan Joint Community College District
Scope of Work: This new campus provides a beautiful new home for the college’s growing programs in San Benito County. The 35,000-square-foot facility includes a welcome desk, lobby, café, community room, administrative offices, learning resource center, two computer labs, four general lecture classrooms, three science labs and a flex lab.
Design-Build Process: Gavilan College worked with the Volz Group and Steinberg Architects to develop a site master plan and select a DBE through an RFQ/ RFP process. The selection committee chose the DBE of QKA, Gensler and Blach Construction based on the team’s connection with the community, experience creating iconic campus environments and its ability to successfully deliver the project. The project team overcame significant challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic, including changes in college leadership, an evolving educational program, utility delays and procurement challenges. Through it all, the team worked collaboratively and flexibly together to respond to community input, create an innovative design and stay on budget and schedule. The project opened as promised for the start of classes in early 2025 to much celebration within the community.
Conclusion
The design-build project delivery method offers significant advantages for educational institutions, including faster project delivery, cost savings and improved collaboration. Both traditional and progressive design-build approaches have unique benefits and are suited for different types of projects. By understanding the key differences between these approaches, educational institutions can make informed decisions that best meet their needs and priorities.
Aaron Jobson, AIA, ALEP, is President and CEO of Quattrocchi Kwok Architects in Santa Rosa and Oakland, Calif., and a member of the School Construction News Editorial Advisory Board. He can be reached at aaronj@qka.com.
The 35,000 square-foot facility includes a welcome desk, lobby, café, community room, administrative offices, learning resource center, two computer labs, four general lecture classrooms, three science labs and a flex lab. | Photo Credit (all): Jason O’Rear
Gavilan College worked with the Volz Group and Steinberg Architects to develop a site master plan.
Why Renovations Are Outpacing New Construction in Higher Education
By Mark A. Sullivan, AIA, LEED AP
Colleges and universities are used to making hard choices when it comes to campus structures and facilities, but those decisions seem increasingly fraught, thanks primarily to the unpredictability of market forces. Where previously the choice might have been between building a splashy new athletic center or creating an amenity-rich technology hub, now administrators and trustees are frequently deciding to put new construction projects on hold, owing to construction-cost escalations and, for some, reductions in annual budgets for capital investment. Instead, more of today’s funding is being directed toward strategic renovations of existing buildings, either to enhance current functions or adapt spaces to new uses.
This trend started a couple years ago and has accelerated since, according to recent education-sector research, with experts noting a rebound in investment in existing campus assets over the past several years. As an example, higher-education institutions in 2023 saw a 26% increase in this type of investment over the previous year. Until these colleges and universities see the economy stabilize and become more predictable, this trend is sure to continue, with larger, more expensive projects on hold — at least temporarily.
This is a good thing, arguably. While universities typically lean on big projects as a way to stay competitive for recruitment, existing facilities often languish, sometimes not even receiving necessary maintenance, much less updates. Yet, campus staff, faculty and students interact with these buildings daily, making them critical assets for school performance and student experience. Typically, these structures and spaces require only modest funds and some imagination to realize their value and capture their full potential, and often they are just as visible as the new amenities and offerings universities want to build and show off. This current era of campus renovations is encouraging high-value, sustainable investment that breathes new life into some forgotten treasures.
Doing More with Less
These days campus planners and facilities directors are looking to architects for help identifying opportunities for value-driven projects. The goal is to generate plans for upgrading or adapting an existing asset in whatever way delivers optimally enhanced per-square-foot value, while expending few precious resources. That value may come from improving basic functionality, extending buildinguse life, or adapting to realize new uses. In many cases,
and now reports show that amount for 2025 and 2026 is likely closer to $500 million — still ample in scale, but a notable cutback nonetheless and prohibitive for most large-scale new construction.
Yet capital improvements on and off campus continue apace. Most recently the firm administered major upgrades to a row of historic townhomes used for faculty and graduate student housing located within walking
buildings also help demonstrate care for the currently enrolled and employed. If the focus is primarily on building up the applicant pool, another good capital strategy is to focus efforts on public-facing facilities such as the welcome center JZA+D designed for another New Jersey institution, Rutgers University – Camden, in a street-facing location within one of the university’s existing structures.
distance from campus. The project included complete interior refreshes and modernization, such as kitchen and bath redesigns with new furnishings, fixtures, lighting and appliances throughout. The upgrades to these Tudor Revival-style lodgings are expected to improve the university’s ability to recruit talented professors and researchers.
Low Cost, High Impact
Similarly, JZA+D has been involved in multiple renovation and reuse projects for a large university in Montclair, N.J. Following the completion of some significant dormitory upgrades, the firm was commissioned to update a 1,600-square-foot, 100-plusseat lecture hall that sees regular use. With administrators focused on enhancing the overall student experience, and especially on improvements to accessibility for academic buildings, this renovation proved both cost-effective and highly impactful.
As an example of low-cost, high-impact reuse, the same university has commissioned JZA+D to transform an underutilized theater into a lab space for state-of-theart virtual reality (VR) technology. The architectural improvements required are complemented by upgrades to electrical and mechanical infrastructure. With the facility renovation designed to recede and frame the lab experience — the VR equipment and activities are really the “star” of this campus offering — the result is
renovation and adaptive reuse deliver the biggest bang for the institution’s buck, especially when the facilities are likely to be viewed by prospective applicants — or are regularly trafficked by current enrollees.
JZA+D, based in Princeton, N.J., has been involved in a lot of campus renovations lately, and discussions with facilities leaders suggest there are more on the horizon. The main factor in this market has been a significant hold on capital investment, but there are other factors at play. For example, one historic university in New Jersey had been aggressively building new projects for years based on annual capital budgets in the billions of dollars,
a modernized space that can support other future uses should the university choose to change the program in years to come. At the same time, the project also calls for accessibility improvements to areas of the building in and around the lab, adding to its appeal for prospective enrollees.
Academic settings and residences like these are the environments in which the higher education experience takes place. It doesn’t require a new building to make a lasting, positive impression on visiting applicants and potential faculty hires, and renovations of existing
Programming new spaces for meetings and presentations, and finishing the interior with brandinspired colors plus artwork and visual media that help tell the institution’s story, this relatively low-cost, highimpact project delivered a vibrant new environment designed to make a positive impression on prospects visiting for campus tours and interviews.
Challenges with Older Buildings
It’s important to note that not every structure lends itself to easy upgrades and conversions. The older the building is the more likely that costs for modernizing the infrastructure or improving accessibility will be high. Today’s campus building uses demand an intensity of systems, requiring intensive consideration before moving forward on a project. In some cases, the cost of upgrading or conversion could be comparable to tearing down and building new. If the structure in question is historic or in some way iconic, replacing it may not even be an option, and then the institution is left with the problem of (to butcher an idiom) how to fit 10 pounds of modernity into five-pound architecture.
This challenge of modernization is a significant contributor to the original problem of delays in addressing existing campus facilities. Many institutions years ago stopped trying to update older buildings for classroom demands, converting them to offices instead, where they quickly become outdated spaces in need of upgrades or a reuse strategy. The level of expectations for modern universities has been set high, and some existing facilities will have a hard time keeping up.
Nevertheless, it remains a valuable strategy for universities with limited capital budgets to engage architects on these less resource-intensive projects, which can be highly sustainable while offering excellent potential return on investment. JZA+D enjoys these kinds of challenges because the limitations engage designers’ creativity, inspiring these professionals to draw on experience with a wide range of project types, leading to cross-pollination of design ideas from hospitality, commercial office, healthcare and retail sectors. With project design and construction teams performing from the top of their capabilities and talent, colleges and universities can move forward on future planning, improve the value of their asset portfolios and achieve short-term growth goals.
Mark A. Sullivan, AIA, LEED AP, is a partner with JZA+D, an integrated architecture and interior design firm that has completed dozens of educational projects across the Northeastern United States.
The goal is to generate plans for upgrading or adapting an existing asset in whatever way delivers optimally enhanced per-square-foot value, while expending few precious resources. | Photo Credit (all): Michael Slack, Courtesy of JZA+D
The renovation of a lecture hall on a campus in northern New Jersey is an example of a modest investment with an outsized impact on the day-to-day experience of campus life.
Small Changes, Big Impact How strategic campus upgrades cut carbon, boost efficiency and elevate the student experience
By Paul Zmick
In facilities management, transformation often involves major projects: constructing new buildings, incorporating renewable energy systems or executing capital campaigns. Yet on many campuses, the most lasting change comes from smaller, targeted upgrades.
These improvements can reduce emissions and costs, increase resilience and improve the student experience. Importantly, institutions do not need to wait for major investments to advance their sustainability goals.
The Power of Incremental Change
Colleges and universities face pressures, including tight budgets, rising climate commitments, and students expecting sustainable and visible action. In this context, efficiency upgrades offer strong leverage.
Upgrades such as modern HVAC controls, lower water temperatures, efficient lighting and advanced automation systems significantly impact campus operations. They save energy, extend asset life, and improve classrooms, residence halls and labs.
Facilities as a Competitive Advantage
Operational savings are only part of the picture. High-performance facilities now give institutions an edge in recruitment and retention. Students consider not only academics when choosing where to spend their next four years, but also whether campuses reflect their values, such as sustainability, innovation and well-being.
Upgrades that boost comfort and reliability directly affect students. Well-lit classrooms, comfortable residence halls and wellventilated labs support learning and health. Visible sustainability features, such as solar panels, EV chargers, or energy dashboards, show prospective students an institution’s commitment to innovation and stewardship.
In the competitive market of higher education, sustainability, innovation and wellbeing set institutions apart. In some instances, colleges and universities have provided examples of their sustainability efforts to prospective students to encourage applications. Facilities management is now seen as a driver of reputation, brand and competitiveness.
Case Study: UVA’s Low-Temperature Hot Water Project
The University of Virginia is an example of how a targeted upgrade can bring broad benefits. Starting in 2018 and finishing this year, UVA’s low-temperature hot water project reached approximately 10 million of the university’s 19 million square feet of academic buildings. The project lowered central-plant heating discharge from 230°F to 170°F. This simple shift brought multiple efficiencies:
• Plant efficiency: Lower temperatures enabled the replacement of steam boilers with large industrial hot water heaters, which are inherently more efficient at producing hot water.
• Heat recovery: The redesign allowed for the installation of heat recovery chillers. These chillers produce both chilled water and hot water simultaneously. This innovation displaced a significant amount of natural gas that would have otherwise been consumed at the main heat plant.
• Water savings: Avoiding evaporative losses from conventional chillers resulted in significant reductions in water use, an increasingly important sustainability metric.
• Distribution savings: Lower water temperatures enabled the use of plastic piping instead of steel. This change cut distribution costs by an order of magnitude.
Benefits extended beyond technical gains. The project reduced operating costs, decreased fossil fuel use and enhanced system flexibility, all while modernizing the infrastructure. The result shows how district energy systems can be cost-effective, sustainable and scalable.
From Small Steps to Institutional Strategy
Such efficiency projects highlight the value of ongoing improvement. Each upgrade, whether lighting, controls, or district energy, builds toward broader goals — showing tangible progress on climate while freeing up resources.
Groups like the Association of Physical Plant Administrators (APPA) advance this perspective. Through events and networks, APPA has helped facility leaders view efficiency as a strategic approach, not just a maintenance tactic. What starts as a pilot can evolve into a sector-wide best practice, accelerating innovation and collaboration. By taking small, deliberate steps, colleges can align facility strategies with mission. These upgrades conserve resources, enhance resilience, mitigate risk and improve campus life.
The future of higher education facilities won’t be defined by marquee projects alone. Instead, steady and strategic upgrades will shape meaningful and lasting transformation.
BASIN PREPARATORY
TX
Tyler Street - Dallas, TX
Butler-Cohen, with PBK Architects, transformed Trinity Basin Preparatory’s Tyler Street Campus in Dallas’ Bishop Arts District into a modern, state-of-the-art facility. The project added 35,000 sq ft with a full-service kitchen, cafeteria, and a two-story classroom wing that doubles as an IBC-compliant storm shelter built with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) for strength, eff iciency, and safety. The renovated 72,000 sq ft features upgraded learning spaces, a secure new entry, and expanded administrative areas—creating a consolidated, future-ready campus that will serve students, staff, and the community for years to come.
Paul Zmick is Director of Energy and Utilities for the University of Virginia.
TRINITY
Avoiding evaporative losses from conventional chillers resulted in significant reductions in water use, an increasingly important sustainability metric.
Photo Credit (all): Courtesy of University of Virginia
Temple University’s Kimmel Pavilion Sets the Stage for Innovation in Media and Performing Arts
By Lindsey Coulter
Temple University broke ground earlier this year on the Caroline Kimmel Pavilion for Arts and Communication. The 200,000-square-foot facility, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), will unite the Klein College of Media and Communication and the Center for Performing and Cinematic Arts under one roof for the first time. Scheduled for completion in fall 2027, the project is envisioned as both a media hub and performance venue, with spaces tailored to learning, creativity and community engagement.
The design emphasizes transparency and collaboration. Expansive glass apertures reveal studios, post-production facilities, and screening rooms modeled after professional spaces and designed to adapt to evolving media technologies. Additional program areas include classrooms, faculty offices and a suite of performance venues: a 375-seat proscenium theater, a 180-seat cinema, a 140-seat black box theater and a 63-seat screening room. SOM’s Graphics + Brand Studio developed a bold color palette — graduating from red to blue — to distinguish and unify the two academic communities while aiding wayfinding. Outdoor amenities, including revitalized green spaces and a new amphitheater, extend the building’s role as a connector between campus and city.
Flexibility is central to the design, with modular, multifunctional spaces intended to support future media and performance innovations. Sustainability features further define the project. Daylighting, healthy and durable materials, and warm finishes shape the interiors, while bird-friendly glass, native plantings, a large green roof and a 30% window-to-wall ratio contribute to the project’s LEED Silver target.
Colin Koop, AIA, Partner at SOM, said the firm was proud to partner with the university and work to elevate the role of design in education, community-building and the arts.
“Our hope is that the building inspires generations of students to explore new career trajectories and creative opportunities, and to become leaders in media, performance, and art,” he said.
Koop spoke with School Construction News about the design development process and how SOM worked to elevate Temple’s identity and creative legacy.
SCN: What were the core design principles or inspirations behind the Caroline Kimmel Pavilion?
KOOP: We designed the Caroline Kimmel Pavilion for Arts and Communication to bring together two creative academic communities — the Klein College of Media and Communications and the Center for Performing and Cinematic Arts (CPCA) — which were previously housed in multiple buildings. Our goal was to create a single, state-ofthe-art facility where students from both schools could collaborate and inspire each other through shared programs, amenities and public spaces.
Located at the western edge of campus, the building also serves as a new gateway
to Temple University. Its position along Polett Walk, the campus’s central pedestrian spine, allowed us to create a highly visible and welcoming structure that opens up to the surrounding community. We designed the building to be as transparent as possible, with double-height apertures that reveal activity within and put student creativity on display.
SCN: How does the building’s architecture reflect or elevate Temple University’s identity and creative legacy?
KOOP: We wanted the architecture to reflect the creativity and collaboration taking place inside, and elevate the university’s identity as an inclusive, creative and community-focused institution. From student workspaces, to lobbies and performance venues accessible to the public, the design encourages engagement at every level.
Along Polett Walk, the structure invites the public to pass through the building, while green spaces, seating and an outdoor amphitheater activate the site and strengthen the university’s connection to the community.
By uniting the university’s two hallmark creative programs under one roof, the
project promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and amplifies synergies between the programs and their respective communities.
SCN: What are some of the innovative features included in the building’s performance and production spaces?
KOOP: The building is designed to support a new generation of media and performing arts professionals. Temple University’s career-focused curriculum emphasizes hands-on experience across disciplines and platforms, and the building reinforces this
mission with a range of creative spaces — from professional-grade production and editing studios to immersive audio and VR suites. Each is modeled after real-world industry environments, and is designed with adaptability in mind, allowing for future upgrades as technologies evolve. Students will have the ability to host live broadcasts, create film and podcasts and produce live theater productions from soup to nuts.
SCN: How did the building’s Broad Street location influence design decisions — particularly in terms of visibility, accessibility and urban integration?
KOOP: Broad Street is one of North Philadelphia’s main corridors, and we saw this location as an opportunity to position the building as a gateway to campus. The architecture embraces this role through its transparency and openness. Large aperture windows along Broad Street and Polett Walk welcome the public in and offer glimpses of activity within. The project will serve both the campus and broader community — as a North Philadelphia neighborhood hub for gathering, learning and entertainment.
SCN: Was there a guiding concept for how the various performance, media, teaching spaces would interact?
KOOP: The building is anchored by two distinct entrances. The north lobby connects to classrooms, academic offices and a lecture hall, while the south lobby leads to performance venues for community programming including the proscenium theater, the cinema and the black box theater.
The upper floors bring together teaching, collaboration and production spaces. We placed light-filled corridors with collaboration spaces around the perimeter and the production and studio spaces at the center of the floor plate. A key organizing principle was to balance the technical demands of the specialized studio spaces with the openness needed to encourage creative work.
SCN: How will the Kimmel Pavilion enhance interdisciplinary collaboration among media, theater, film, music and dance programs?
KOOP: A key strategy to foster collaboration was to create multipurpose spaces. For example, the lobbies can easily be reconfigured to accommodate events and gatherings
The project is envisioned as both a media hub and performance venue, with spaces tailored to learning, creativity and community engagement. | Photo Credit (all): SOM
Flexibility is central to the design, with modular, multifunctional spaces intended to support future media and performance innovations.
and performance venues can flexibly accommodate a variety of uses for different classes and student projects throughout the semester.
SCN: What measures are being taken to future-proof the facility for evolving media and performance technologies?
KOOP: In a rapidly evolving industry, flexibility is key. From the lobbies to each individual studio, theater and classroom, we designed every space to be modular, multifunctional and adaptable to emerging technologies — including those that don’t exist yet. This approach ensures that the facility can evolve alongside the programming it supports.
Future-proofing also extends to sustainability and resilience. Our strategies include a large green roof, native plantings, daylighting and a window-to-wall ratio optimized for energy efficiency. Together these strategies ensure the building remains adaptable and sustainable for years to come.
SCN: What interior and exterior materials were used for the project and how were they selected?
KOOP: Along the facade, we used a series of bronze metal panels to create a rhythmic, gradient texture. The warmth of this material harmonizes with the neighboring historic stone buildings. The panel depths change as they recede outward from the apertures, evoking the pull of a theater curtain or the shutter of a camera lens.
Inside, we prioritized sustainable and healthy materials with warm finishes, like American white oak, to create a welcoming ambiance.
SOM’s in-house Graphics + Brand studio developed a visual approach that reflects both distinction and unity between the two schools through the strategic use of color. A graduated palette, from red to blue with several shades in between, highlights the schools’ specialty performance and production spaces. These colored volumes are visible through the expanses of the building’s curtain wall system and punctuated by large-scale signage, which communicate the schools’ activities to the public, while at the same time enhancing wayfinding for the building’s users.
SCN: What role do you see the Kimmel Pavilion playing in Philadelphia’s broader cultural infrastructure?
KOOP: The building acts as both a gateway and an extension. It spans over Polett Walk, acting as a gateway for future campus growth while at the same time, the Broad
a forward-looking
for the community.
The building also serves as a bridge between Klein College and CPCA, tying these two academic communities together and displaying the creativity of students through its great sheets of glass. It activates the public realm — connecting the surrounding community to the Temple University campus and creating an artistic anchor on Broad Street.
Wayne State Breaks Ground on $200 Million Health Sciences Research Building
By Lindsey Coulter
DETROIT — Wayne State University (WSU) has broken ground on its new $200 million Health Sciences Research Building (HSRB), a 160,000-square-foot facility designed to accelerate biomedical discovery and strengthen the university’s ties to the Detroit community.
The five-story building will house research programs in oncology, neurosciences, systems biology and immunology, and metabolism and infectious diseases. University officials said the design emphasizes collaboration and flexibility, with dedicated laboratories, shared amenities and connections to surrounding health and academic facilities.
“This new building represents Wayne State’s deep and enduring commitment to improving the health and economic strength of Detroit, our region and the state of Michigan,” said Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy, WSU President, in a statement. “Here, our world-class biomedical researchers, clinicians, students and community partners will come together to solve some of the most pressing health challenges of our time, and to ensure discoveries more quickly reach the people who need them most.”
The HSRB will support WSU’s long-standing clinical partnerships with Karmanos Cancer Institute/McLaren Health, the Detroit Medical Center and other community organizations. Designed with green infrastructure, landscaped gathering areas and outdoor seating, the project also aims for LEED Silver certification.
Dr. Bernard Costello, Senior Vice President for Health Affairs, said that the project represents a dedication to improving health through collaboration — not just within the university, but across the entire community. “We are creating a space where research meets real-world impact and where our strong relationships with clinical partners and community organizations can continue to support discoveries that will shape the future of health care,” Costello said.
Funding includes a $100 million commitment from the State of Michigan, with the balance provided through university resources and philanthropy. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the project will attract talent and spur economic growth. “This new building will help Michigan attract and retain some of the brightest minds to make breakthrough medical discoveries that make a real difference in peoples’ lives and help them get better,” Whitmer said.
The facility’s design calls for a pedestrian bridge connecting to Scott Hall and a dedicated walkway to the Elliman Research Building, creating a research corridor between basic scientists, clinicians and students. Interiors will be configured for adaptability, supporting both current and emerging technologies.
“The Health Sciences Research Building will be a powerful catalyst for advancing cancer research and care,” said Dr. Boris Pasche, Chair of WSU’s Department of Oncology and President and CEO of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.
The project team includes Kramer Management as owner’s representative, HKS Architects & Designers, Osborn Engineering, the Christman Company as construction firm, and WSU’s Facilities Planning and Management team.
“A project of this magnitude is only possible because of the skill, vision and dedication of the many tradespeople, engineers and architects who are bringing it to life,” said Bethany Gielczyk, WSU’s Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer.
Design development is complete, with construction underway. Completion is targeted for early 2028.
Street facade faces the Philadelphia community at large and acts as
beacon
Post-production facilities and screening rooms are modeled after professional spaces and are designed to adapt to evolving media technologies.
The 200,000-square-foot facility will unite the Klein College of Media and Communication and the Center for Performing and Cinematic Arts under one roof.
Designed with green infrastructure, landscaped gathering areas and outdoor seating, the project also aims for LEED Silver certification.
The 160,000-square-foot facility is designed to accelerate biomedical discovery.
Photo Credit (all): Wayne State University
Sam Ibrahim Building Anchors a New Campus Vision
Through glazing, landscape integration and neuroarchitectural design, the University of Toronto Scarborough building embodies a new kind of academic hub
By Lindsey Coulter
The Sam Ibrahim Building at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC), which opened in April, has quickly become a defining presence on campus, embodying both architectural innovation and academic purpose. Designed by ZAS Architects + Interiors and CEBRA, the roughly 208,000-squarefoot, $145 million facility reflects a bold vision: to create a sensoryforward learning environment that prioritizes student well-being, inclusivity and innovation.
With its broad stretches of glazing, integration with the surrounding landscape, and neuroarchitectural design approach, the Sam Ibrahim Building embodies a new kind of academic hub — one designed with students at its core.
“Translating into practice the University of Toronto’s progressive stance on young adult education, we have designed a building that creates diversity in teaching and learning situations,” said Carsten Primdahl, founding partner of CEBRA architecture and a lead designer of the project. “Applying insights from neuroarchitecture, the design supports activity-based, socially engaging and peer-topeer learning through an interweaving arrangement of classrooms, student service facilities and the open public domain.”
First Impressions
Named for donor Sam Ibrahim, president of the Arrow Group of Companies, the building houses a variety of teaching and learning spaces in a deceptively straightforward envelope.
“It’s a very complicated building inside, but you just look at it from the outside and it seems like just a box,” said Alex Fehertoi, Associate at ZAS Architects + Interiors.
Contained within that simple form are cutting-edge experiential and instructional areas such as the Sam Ibrahim Centre for Inclusive Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Leadership, along with academic spaces for the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences. It also houses the Office of Student Experience and Wellbeing, Academic Advising & Career Centre, AccessAbility Services, and the campus’ Health and Wellness Centre.
The program is distributed vertically. Classrooms, labs and study areas fill the first three levels, while Computer and Mathematical Sciences faculty and staff offices occupy the third and fourth floors. Student services,
The building’s vertical stacking underscores its role as both a teaching tool and community hub, creating intersections between academic, service and social life.
Photo Credit (all): Doublespace Photography
including wellbeing and advising, are located on the fifth floor. This vertical stacking underscores the building’s role as both a teaching tool and community hub, creating intersections between academic, service and social life.
Even the facade was infused with intentionality. The mosaic-like exterior was inspired by a printer’s tray to reflect the diversity of spaces and experiences contained within. Each classroom, office and social space contributes to a literal and figurative patchwork of activity that fuels innovation and inclusion.
A Hub for Program and Purpose
More than just consolidating essential programs, the Sam Ibrahim Building creates spaces for new kinds of academic exchange. In addition to 124 student services offices and staff spaces, 20 flexible classrooms accommodate a wide spectrum of teaching approaches. The Sam Ibrahim Centre for Inclusive Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Leadership underscores the university’s emphasis on these themes, while creatively designed lecture spaces on the fourth level welcome experts from across the globe.
Even faculty offices were designed with recruitment in mind to help draw top-tier educators, and the overall design prioritizes adaptability. Flexible layouts, integrated technology, and multiple scales of gathering spaces allow the building to serve different teaching models and student needs simultaneously. From large-scale lectures to informal peer-to-peer collaboration, the building reflects a pedagogical shift toward inclusivity and active learning.
“The Sam Ibrahim Building is a wonderful new addition to U of T Scarborough,” said Vice President of UTSC Linda Johnston. “Students will have opportunities to study, collaborate and socialize in a variety of unique spaces designed with their needs in mind, which goes a long way in contributing to their well-being and success.”
Teaching and Learning Environments
Students and educators have a plethora of options within the Sam Ibrahim Building to suit their learning and teaching styles and goals, including six tiered lecture rooms, each designed to provide a distinct learning experience.
Additionally, the Arrow Group Innovation Hall — a 500-seat, theatre-in-the-round hexagonal space with surrounding digital screens — positions the presenter at the center, minimizing distance from the back rows and encouraging dialogue and participation.
Among the medium-sized tiered learning spaces, the Cave is a calm retreat. Its stone-like interior surfaces, crafted from sound-absorbing material, engage the sense of touch and enhance concentration.
Meanwhile, the Collaboratorium offers a cooperative environment supporting group
PROJECT DATA:
Project Name: The Sam Ibrahim Building
Client: University of Toronto Scarborough
Size: 208,000 square feet
Cost: $145 million
Lead Design Architect: CEBRA
Lead Architect: ZAS Architects + Interiors
Interior Design: ZAS Architects + Interiors and CEBRA
General Contractor: EllisDon
Wayfinding and Signage: ZAS Architects + Interiors and CEBRA
Landscape Architect: LANDinc
Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
Mechanical Engineer: The Mitchell Partnership, now merged BPA
Electrical and Lighting: HH Angus
Civil Engineer: MGM Consulting
Acoustics: Swallow Associates
Sustainability: Green Reason
Traffic Design: BA Group
work. Tiered niches inspired by nightclub booths accommodate up to six people around a table. Each booth includes digital collaboration technology and is lined with acoustic fabric.
“Here we included banquette seating, and all the materials in this room are soft, so it has a very plush tone,” said Fehertoi. “The lighting is centered over each booth … it’s meant for small group projects, more intimate settings.”
Other mid-sized classrooms feature active-learning layouts that replace traditional rows of desks with flexible, reconfigurable furniture and integrated AV systems. Together, these varied settings support a range of pedagogies, from traditional lectures to collaborative problem-solving, underscoring UTSC’s commitment to inclusive and participatory education.
Master Plan Anchor
The Sam Ibrahim Building, built by EllisDon, serves as both a physical and symbolic anchor for UTSC’s northern campus, advancing the university’s evolving master plan.
Situated at the nexus of pedestrian pathways and framed by a new campus green, the building reshapes UTSC’s historically commuter-heavy culture. It invites students to gather and linger via areas such as a 360-degree campus “living room,” where indoor and outdoor experiences merge seamlessly.
“The building gives students new options and contemplative spaces to relax or study,” said Fehertoi.
The mosaic-like exterior was inspired by a printer’s tray to reflect the diversity of spaces and experiences contained within.
The Collaboratorium offers a cooperative environment supporting group work via tiered niches inspired by nightclub booths.
“It was really challenging to fit all the spaces within the building and keep its form intact,” said Fehertoi. “Layering programs vertically while maintaining visibility in classrooms was one of the most difficult tasks.”
The result is a technically complex yet seamless facility where form, sustainability and function reinforce each other.
As the first major project realized under the updated campus plan, the building sets both a tone and a benchmark for future development, emphasizing integration with natural systems, activation of public space, and consolidation of student-facing resources.
Design Backed by Data
The design draws on neuroarchitecture research from CEBRA’s research and development unit, which studies how space influences cognition and well-being. Students can choose from lounges, study corners or landscaped seating such as the Learning Hill. Ground-level spaces merge with outdoor areas, including a café, lounges and informal collaboration zones.
“Really it’s about activating the space,” Fehertoi said.
By offering a spectrum of settings, the building provides what the architects call a sensory-forward learning landscape. The emphasis on choice reflects a recognition that contemporary students balance multiple demands — coursework, employment, caregiving and community roles. Providing diverse study and relaxation environments acknowledges this complexity while fostering belonging.
“An important element of the building is the intentional, accessible areas, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to inclusive learning experiences for all,” said Andrew Arifuzzaman, Chief Administration Officer, University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. “This has been a focus of our campus since its inception, and the Sam Ibrahim Building represents the evolution of this commitment to the student experience here at the University of Toronto Scarborough.”
Sustainability and Technical Challenges
The Sam Ibrahim Building was designed to reach a high standard of sustainability. Constructed to meet Toronto Green Standards, it achieves energy efficiency reductions 40% lower than baseline. This performance is achieved through high-performance thermal insulation, a geothermal energy plant and triple-glazed operable windows.
The design team also prioritized durability and material efficiency. Interior finishes were selected for both tactile quality and longevity, minimizing long-term maintenance costs. Landscape design incorporates native plantings that echo the nearby ravine ecosystem, reducing irrigation needs and strengthening ecological connections.
PRODUCT DATA:
Acoustic Panels: Rockfon
Acoustic Tile: ACT - Armstrong Ceilings
Carpet Tile: Milliken
Ceramic Tile: Olympia Tile
Engineered Hardwood: Stone Tile
Epoxy Flooring: Stonhard
Fabric/Curtains: Knoll Textiles
Felt: EZO Board and Danoline
Laminate: Formica
Linoleum: Tarkett
Millwork: WoodLogix
Paint: Sherwin Williams
Porcelaine Tile: Stone Tile
Seating: Sedia Systems
Tackboards: Forbo
Wallbases: Johnsonite
Wood Acoustics: EOMAC
Architecture and Landscape Integration
A defining hallmark of the building is the seamless dialogue between architecture and landscape. The unique sloping mounds and embedded seating in the landscape reference the adjacent Highland Creek ravine and guide students indoors. The terraced base extends upward across five stories, blending interior and exterior environments. However, the mounds are not just aesthetic; they house services and lecture halls underneath. “They also flow into the building creating unique spaces that create interaction and contemplation for the student body,” Fehertoi said. Construction-wise, it’s a 200-millimeter slab with
insulation on soil, and separating the exterior mounds from the interior mounds — which are tiled build up — is the lower support for the structural glazing.
“The idea was that this campus green would roll into the building’s transparent ground floor,” said Fehertoi. “The mounds that are outside the building, become the inside of the building.”
Transparency was achieved with expansive glazing. “We used low-iron structural glazing all around the entire ground floor … sometimes you can’t see the glass at all,” he said.
Together, these strategies blur boundaries between building and site, making the building feel as much a part of the landscape as the landscape feels part of the building.
Student and Faculty Feedback
Since opening, aspects such as the Collaboratorium’s booth-style design and the Arrow Group Innovation Hall’s theatre-in-the-round format have drawn broad praise.
““The building was designed with the students in mind first,” said Fehertoi. “They really like the variety of spaces from very open … to a lot more private, like tucked behind stairwells.”
Students also praised the sensory variety of the spaces. From the hushed calm of the Cave to the buzz of the café, the building offers a broad palette of experiences that support different needs.
By creating a hub that merges learning, collaboration and campus life, the Sam Ibrahim Building has succeeded in its mission: to inspire connection and creativity and to demonstrate how one facility can both anticipate and catalyze the next chapter of campus growth.
A Landmark and a Legacy
The project was a full circle moment for ZAS Owner and Senior Principal, and proud University of Toronto alumnus, Paul Stevens. The Sam Ibrahim Building was Stevens’ final project opening before his sudden passing in August. Since 1994, Stevens had led the design of renowned award-winning projects such as the Canoe Landing Community Campus + Schools and York University’s Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence. His generosity of spirit defined his transformational leadership style that guided his ZAS family in fulfilling a vision of design excellence, exemplary collaborations, and industry-leading community engagement. This gift extended to his mentorship of the next generation of architects as a partnering practitioner with the University of Toronto’s Design Research Internship Program.
A variety of classroom styles supports a range of pedagogies, from traditional lectures to collaborative problem-solving.
The Scalable Energy Solution for Modern Campuses
From backup to primary power, propane is a strategic energy choice
By Bert Warner
For higher education institutions and K–12 schools looking to increase energy efficiency, sustainability and energy security, all while prioritizing affordability, propane has shown itself to be a valuable partner in achieving those goals. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), America’s primary and secondary schools spend $8 billion annually on energy. When the power goes out, these facilities are at risk of disrupting learning, compromising safety, and impacting campus residents who rely on heating, cooling and meal services on a day-to-day basis. When extreme weather and grid instability are added to the mix, it is important the power stays on, without driving up costs.
Smarter Energy Use Across Campus
Propane energy supports many campus operations, including water and space heating, cooking, laundry and grounds maintenance. Tankless propane water heaters provide on-demand hot water with up to 98% efficiency, which can be used in dormitories, labs and athletic centers. With a life expectancy of approximately 20 years, which is longer than most conventional models, tankless water heaters provide a lowmaintenance solution for campuswide hot water needs.
In cafeterias, ENERGY STAR-rated propane cooking appliances heat up quickly, offer precise temperature control and can last up to eight to 10 years longer than their electric counterparts. They are highly efficient, with some equipment operating 10% to 60% more efficiently than standard options, helping lower energy use without compromising kitchen productivity.
Campus laundry facilities can also benefit from propane. Propane clothes dryers work faster and more efficiently than electric ones and include features like moisture sensors to reduce dry times.
Propane even powers outdoor operations from lawn mowers, shuttles, and construction equipment to cut emissions and fuel costs. Warren Wilson College, for example, reduced greenhouse gas emissions by up to 17% just by switching to propane mowers and converted vans. Whether indoors or out, propane offers scalable, efficient energy strategies that support operations across campus.
Unmatched Reliability and Flexibility
Unlike grid-dependent electricity and diesel, which degrade over time, propane is stored on-site in tanks and has an indefinite shelf life, providing peace of mind even after months in storage. It is also non-toxic and won’t contaminate groundwater or sensitive ecosystems, making it a safer energy choice for environmentally sensitive areas on campus. The EPA designated propane as a “clean alternative fuel” in the Clean Air Act.
Propane systems are also highly flexible. Whether a campus needs a full primary power source for off-grid buildings or a backup system to keep operations moving during a potential outage, propane is scalable. It can support both temporary and permanent installations and can integrate into microgrids or pair with renewable systems like solar — all without limiting future energy plans.
From small K–12 campuses to large university systems, propane-powered
generators also offer scalable options to match different facility needs. These systems operate 98% cleaner than diesel, reduce emissions and can send excess electricity back to the grid. Not only that, but propane generators restore power within 10 seconds, minimizing disruption in the event of an outage. Whether directly powering appliances or used as a dependable backup energy source, propane delivers consistent, on-demand power that institutions can rely on.
A Strategic Energy Choice
Educational facilities can depend on propane to support campus energy strategies. To promote a broader awareness of propane, the Propane Education & Research Council launched the Alternative Technology Demonstration & Research Program. This initiative supports the installation of propane technologies like cooling and combined heat and power (CHP) systems in schools and universities. Participants complete a survey sharing details on performance, emissions, gallon usage, run hours, cost data and energy savings post-installation. Qualifying participants are offered financial compensation depending on the size of the installation.
For educational institutions committed to smart energy use and long-term sustainability, propane is a viable solution across campus operations. To learn more about propane in commercial operations, visit propane.com/commercial-buildings-andconstruction.
What began as a medium for creating sustainable public art, today helps architects and designers transform commercial spaces with the use of color and light.
LIGHTBLOCKS architectural resin products can be produced in any color, pattern and translucency to create unique and beautiful spaces, and their non-porous, fingerprint- and scratch-resistant surface makes LIGHTBLOCKS especially well-suited for high-traffic environments. Let our experienced team take your project from “How?” to “WOW!”
Bert Warner is Director of Commercial Business Development at the Propane Education and Research Council.
The EPA designated propane as a “clean alternative fuel” in the Clean Air Act. | Photo Credit (all): Courtesy of the Propane Education and Research Council
STANDOUTPRODUCTS
Put your product in the spotlight by contacting SCN at sales@wmhmedia.com
Acoustic Ceiling Blades
SoundScapes® Blades by Armstrong Ceilings provide acoustical excellence and unlimited design possibilities through a variety of shapes, depths, colors, wood looks and installation options.
SoundScapes Blades panels are available in seven Wood Looks and 15 colors inspired by nature with three installation options for maximum design flexibility. The blades attach to standard 15/16” suspension system and are suspended individually using a hanging kit. The blades can also direct-attach to both ceilings and walls using Axiom® wall molding. They offer sound absorption up to 2.05 NRC dependent on blade depth and spacing.
Armstrong Ceilings www.armstrongceilings.com
Acoustic and Lighting Solution
Designed to provide an easy, all-in-one solution for integrating lighting and acoustic ceiling elements, the Cloudform Collection features a variety of geometric shapes across its lighting and acoustic ceiling tile solutions. There are 14 total lighting fixtures across the nine shapes offered in ‘open’ and ‘closed’ styles. Depending on the shape and style, each lighting fixture emits between 2,500 and 20,000 lumens, has a color temperature of 2,700K to 4,000K, and has a color rendering index (CRI) of 80 or 90. Tunable White and EM Battery options are also available. The tiles are made of fiberglass and can be fitted into any of the open-style lighting fixtures. Additionally, the acoustic tiles have a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating of up to 1.15. They are seismically rated and approved, feature anti-microbial properties, support LEED, WELL, and Living Building Challenge certifications, and comply with the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act.
LightArt www.lightart.com
Audio/Visual Lift
Draper’s Acrobat is a utility lineset used to suspend audio/visual products such as projection screens from a ceiling. The product’s 1,000-pound lifting capacity also allows Acrobat to easily handle many different AV and other products, including projection screens, lights, speakers and LED video walls. Acrobat’s streamlined design makes it easy to order and install. It can be purchased as a complete assembly or in select sub-assemblies to address unique jobsite requirements. Each Acrobat is made to order with the drive pipe cut to size. Universal mounting brackets can be mounted parallel or perpendicular to steel beams or using 4” diameter steel pipe. Only two cable drops are required when attaching electric projection screens.
Draper www.draperinc.com
LED Mirrors
Bradley, an industry leader in commercial washroom mirrors, offers the Elvari® Mirror Collection, which includes an assortment of framed, frameless and LED mirrors in a wide range of styles, colors and sizes for elegantly furnishing any washroom application. Each Elvari mirror, made of high-quality glass, features radiused corners and polished edges for a soft, sleek and symmetrical look. For LED models, the perimeter of each mirror is illuminated with LEDs providing both ambient lighting and visual appeal. With Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) options of 3K, 4K or 5K, the mirrors accommodate a range of lighting preferences. To enhance users’ convenience, an optional LED shelf, which easily mounts to or detaches from the mirror frame, is also available. Alternately, frameless and stainless-steel framed mirrors are available with shelves. Elvari mirror frames and shelves come in an array of color options.
Bradley www.bradleycorp.com
Bolt-On Balcony
BŌK Modern, an innovator in architectural metal systems, offers the Bolt-On Balcony, a groundbreaking solution for modern buildings that reimagines the conventional balcony system. Purposefully engineered to eliminate common pain points such as water intrusion, heavy structural demands and unsightly support elements, the Bolt-On Balcony offers a streamlined, architecturally clean approach that integrates seamlessly with building façades. Central to the innovation is BŌK’s patented Plate Truss™ technology. The Bolt-On Balcony employs a folded plate design that creates an integrated truss structure with fewer components and enhanced strength. This system enables the entire balcony to be supported by just two vertical attachment points at the façade, which connect to framing members already present in the structure.
BŌK Modern www.bokmodern.com
Glass Wall System
NanaWall, a leader in opening glass wall systems for more than 30 years, offers more than 20 customizable framed and frameless solutions for both exterior and interior applications. Known for precision engineering and sleek design, the company’s systems provide flexibility, natural light, sound control and privacy for offices, hotels, restaurants, schools and more. Unlike traditional operable partitions, NanaWall products are designed for effortless use and durability, with select models tested to 500,000 cycles. By combining performance with aesthetics, the systems help architects and designers create brighter, more adaptable and collaborative spaces that respond to evolving design needs.
NanaWall www.nanawall.com
Navigating Rising Costs, Political Uncertainty How
colleges and universities can advance capital projects amid 2025’s challenges
By Greg Fraikor
Colleges and universities across the U.S. are facing one of the most unsettled periods for capital planning and campus growth in decades. Rising material costs, shifting federal policies and political uncertainty are combining with financial pressures to delay,
reduce or completely reshape projects. From laboratories and student housing to athletic facilities, essential initiatives are now caught in a cycle of volatility. This environment of uncertainty is leaving its mark on capital development across campuses. Leaders are being forced to rethink how they plan, budget and deliver new infrastructure to keep long-term priorities on track.
Building Research Facilities Despite Funding Cuts
Among the most significant forces shaping higher education construction is the decline in dependable federal funding for research.
Substantial reductions to major funding sources of the Department of Health and Human Services, especially the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation, are prompting institutions to pause or phase projects that depend on federal funding to operate. Uncertainty in litigation outcomes compound the challenges in implementing capital programs. The effects are visible. Laboratories and research complexes require years of planning and are now being interrupted midway or scaled down.
“Novel discoveries happening within the walls of university research labs are essential in advancing innovation within the U.S. and globally. To ensure the continuation of these important research endeavors, university leaders are unlocking innovative funding and enrollment strategies,” said Michelle Martin, National Higher Education Strategist at DPR Construction.
As legal battles around federal funding continue, institutions are implementing new strategies to fill the gap now. Research facilities not only house the research within but also attract the researchers, faculty and industry partners needed to secure funding. The top R1 research institutions are already implementing new financing strategies, such as selling bonds, restructuring endowments, increasing case reserves and increasing enrollment numbers through higher acceptance rates, in part, to address the dwindling number of international students paying out-of-state tuition fees.
Industry partnerships will be an enduring addition to university research funding with direct dollars allocated to research areas of private sector interest. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) exemplifies this model of corporate engagement. As reported in Wall Street Journal, Georgia Tech’s office of corporate engagement has secured nearly 15% of the campus’ research funding from industry, with corporations spending more than $70 million on research this fiscal year, up 28% from last year. Transitioning from surviving to thriving will require a full suite of new strategies and tactics heading into 2026.
Rising Material Costs Encourage Phased Construction
Increased tariffs on steel and aluminum, and U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber rose in July and August. The result is higher costs for construction projects. To manage this environment, universities are embracing phased construction. By breaking projects into stages, they can spread out investment, hedge against cost swings,
and maintain forward momentum. They’re also exploring design simplification and alternative material selection and supply sources. Institutions that bring construction and supply chain partners into the process early are having success in modeling escalations and planning sourcing options accordingly.
Adding to the significant changes in university operations, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s new three-tiered endowment tax structure imposes a federal excise tax ranging from 1.4% to 8% for targeted institutions. Beginning in January 2026, the tax will significantly impact the top 20 endowments to the tune of more than $10 billion over the next five years. Affected universities are taking steps to mitigate impacts through hiring freezes, cutting research costs, and, unfortunately, reducing access for lower- and middle-income students. As U.S. News & World Report noted, the American Council on Education’s Assistant Vice President of Government Relations, Steven Bloom stated, “... these schools are going to have to spend more money under the tax, taking it away from what they primarily use their endowment assets for — financial aid.”
These early mitigation strategies allow institutions to develop scenario plans exploring the best options to pause, reduce, or sustain their current capital programs.
Proceeding as Policy Changes and Investigations Play Out
Shifting political and regulatory priorities is adding another layer of uncertainty. The rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs along with ongoing investigations related to antisemitism, racial discrimination and transgender policies are creating headaches for leaders trying to evaluate their internal policies to comply. Many savvy colleges and universities are pivoting research efforts to align with the current administration’s priorities, such as national AI research, and revising DEI programs to focus on inclusive student success and more direct workforce development. Likewise, sustainability and decarbonization campus plans are shifting to resiliency plans. As a result of these internal changes, certain facility improvements are being delayed or cancelled outright as institutions update their strategic and physical campus plans.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Even amid disruption, resilient institutions continue to move capital projects ahead. Campus planners, architects and general contractors are collaborating to help universities move from planning paralysis to informed scenario planning. Success in 2026 and beyond will depend on treating facilities planning as a dynamic strategy that adjusts to economic, political and financial realities.
Institutions that diversify their funding sources, align projects with mission driven goals and emphasize flexibility in design will be better prepared to thrive. While the pressures of 2025 are real, they also provide an opportunity for innovation. By rethinking how projects are conceived, financed and executed, colleges and universities can create infrastructure that remains resilient and relevant for decades to come.
Greg Fraikor is the Higher Education Core Market Leader for DPR Construction.
At the Georgia Institute of Technology, the institution’s office of corporate engagement secured nearly 15% of the campus’ research funding from industry, with corporations spending more than $70 million on research this fiscal year, up 28% from last year.
Photo Credit: Danny Sandler, DPR Construction
DPR Construction also worked with San Francisco State University on the institution’s Science and Engineering Innovation Center. | Photo Credit: SmithGroup
Moravian University’s HUB Reimagined Building wellness and modern amenities into the heart of campus
By Lindsey Coulter
Moravian University is reshaping student life with the transformation of its Haupert Union Building, affectionately known as the HUB, into a new, state-ofthe-art student center set to open in November
The original HUB was completed in 1962 as the first student union on a Pennsylvania college campus. The building was expanded and renovated multiple times over the decades, but as Moravian University grew, the HUB struggled to keep pace.
“We had really exceeded our capacity in the HUB, particularly in terms of meeting rooms and events,” said Amber Donato, Associate Director of Planning and Project Management for the university. “The catalyst for the project was that we just had a need for more multi-purpose, flexible space for students, faculty and staff.”
University leaders weighed renovation options but determined that costs and outdated systems made rebuilding the most effective option.
“Because it had been renovated so many times, and so many of the systems were old, it financially didn’t make sense to renovate,” Donato said.
Instead, the university elected to remove the building’s existing meeting space wing, replacing it with a new three-story addition built by Warfel Construction and transforming the historic facility for a new era of education and student needs.
Designing for WELL
Unique among higher education facilities, the building
has already earned WELL pre-certification from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). IWBI is a globally recognized organization that evaluates buildings based on how they support human health and wellbeing. This prestigious designation reflects the university’s deep commitment to fostering a holistic campus environment.
The WELL precertification is based on an assessment of 11 categories that sync with the goal of the HUB’s design. Once fully certified, the HUB will become the first WELLcertified building in the Lehigh Valley and one of just 13 in Pennsylvania.
Achieving pre-certification, and ultimately full certification, meant prioritizing sustainability from multiple angles from the outset.
“The WELL Certification framework was very influential to our design because it directly affected how we approached the layout of the overall building,” said Phillip Powers, AIA, NCARB, Senior Design Manager with ESa, the project architect. “We focused on how the programmed spaces interact, their adjacency to one another and their proximity to the outdoor environment.”
Powers noted that the process was about more than meeting a checklist.
“It was important for the building’s program to provide essential space for student and faculty engagement, to encourage holistic well-being, and to connect to the larger MU campus,” he said. “This project establishes Moravian University as a forward-thinking institute that not only provides the necessary facilities for students but is an active participant in promoting their students’ well-being and nurturing their future, well after their tenure as a student.”
As the WELL certification process is more personal
Puzzled by Specialty Door and Fixed Window Systems
than the LEED certification process, and includes an actual site visit from a commissioning agent, the project team was also able to get positive feedback on other health and well-being initiatives beyond the HUB design.
“Our WELL consultant was so impressed. They came for a visit during construction and were blown away by what our dining partner, Sodexo, is doing in terms of fresh foods and allergen response,” Donato added.
Student Life at the Center
Thoughtfully designed to promote student wellness in every form — mental, physical and academic— the HUB will serve as the heart of the student experience. The design also reflects how student life has evolved since the 1960s. Originally home to club meeting rooms, a mailroom and a small theater, the existing building no longer met student needs. Today, students expect flexible gathering spaces, advanced technology and dedicated wellness areas. As such, the HUB will include collaborative spaces for eating, studying and socializing and will provide access to wellness resources and student services — all under one roof. Every element has been designed to encourage mindfulness behaviors, enhance learning and promote mental and physical well-being.
“Our community is incredibly active. We have a vibrant student government and dozens of clubs,” Donato said. “We needed a proper place for all of that activity. Our spaces were older, the technology was outdated and it was time to step up our game.”
To reflect this shift, the new building will include meeting rooms designed as “Zoom rooms” with seamless video conferencing capabilities.
“You can just very easily go in, click the button, and your meeting will be pre-loaded into the system,” Donato said.
As an Apple Distinguished School, Moravian University also prioritized userfriendly technology.
“Everyone’s so used to using Apple AirPlay that all the rooms with monitors, you can just walk in and open your laptop and throw a presentation up on a screen,” said Michael Corr, Executive Director of Public Relations and Communications for the university.
Expanding Community and Wellness
Beyond serving students, the HUB will also create more opportunities for community engagement and bring new audiences to the campus.
The HUB will serve as the heart of the student
The HUB will also create opportunities for community engagement and bring new audiences to the campus.
The design promotes mindfullness and promotes mental and physical well-being.
Photo Credit (all): ESa, Courtesy of Moravian University
Since its founding in 2009, Texas A&M University–San Antonio has steadily transformed its nearly 700-acre campus. What was once overgrown land populated with feral pigs is now a thriving university setting with 15 academic and student facilities. The growth continues with a major new development underway: a state-of-the-art athletic complex set to open in January 2026.
The university broke ground on the project in February 2025. When complete, the complex will feature an eight-lane, NCAA-certified competition track, a multipurpose field and an upgraded softball facility with a new press box, dugouts and seating for 350 spectators.
Fort Worth–based Paragon Sports Constructors is leading the design and construction process. According to Joseph Martin, Paragon’s Vice President of PreConstruction, the project presented a number of engineering challenges, most notably the site’s uneven topography.
“We had to build a competition track on a site that sloped downhill more than nine feet from north to south, with a creek bed running through it,” said Martin, an American Sports Builders Association-Certified Field Builder and Certified Track Builder. “That required some very innovative solutions from our engineering team.”
The challenge was further shaped by the complexities of NCAA standards, which require an exacting level of precision. Tracks can have no more than a 0.1% downward slope in the running direction and just 1% laterally toward the inside lane.
“It has to essentially be perfectly flat,” Martin explained. “Every slope, curve, and angle has to meet exact certification regulations. There’s zero room for error.”
To meet those standards, the construction team had to get creative and built retaining walls on both ends of the site and used a stepped foundation — an approach that creates horizontal layers following the natural grade to provide stability and a level base.
The creek bed was also re-engineered. Crews cut diagonally across the channel, shifting it so it now runs parallel to the east side of the track before curving back to rejoin its original path. Workers further built a bridge to span part of the waterway. To stabilize the site and manage water flow, engineers adjusted bank heights, refined slope elevations and added flood-control measures. The team also imported two feet of engineered fill material to establish a strong, stable subgrade for the track and field.
Beyond the engineering feat, the project marks a milestone for the university’s athletics program.
“With these new facilities, we’ll be able to recruit more student-athletes, better train our current athletes and open doors for future athletic opportunities,” said A&M–San Antonio Athletic Director Darnell Smith. “This is an important and strategic step forward for the university.”
resources. It’s another way we’re helping improve the region’s quality of life and educational opportunities.”
Bexar County contributed $10 million toward the project, recognizing its value as a shared community asset.
“Bexar County partnered with A&M–San Antonio on this project because of the significant public benefit it provides,” said Tony Canez, the county’s Division Chief of Capital Projects and Venues.
For Paragon, the project was both challenging and rewarding.
“We moved a lot of earth for months and months,” Martin said. “It took tremendous effort, but it’s been a phenomenal experience. The construction teams and A&M–San Antonio collaborated seamlessly to create something truly special.”
Sam Boykin is the Senior Communications Manager for Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Design & Construction, from page 16
“The HUB now has a conference center on the top level that can hold up to 500 people,” Corr said. “It really opens up a whole new arena for the university to be a host and a hub for community events, for nonprofits, for our partners and for different organizations we work with.”
The HUB’s central mission, however, will remain rooted in the student experience, integrating wellness in visible and subtle ways. On the first floor, the new wellness center will house both the health center and the counseling center for the first time. Upstairs, a mindfulness area provides a quiet alternative to study rooms.
“On the third floor, we have four sensory rooms where students can adjust the lighting, choose comfortable furniture and just take a break,” Donato said.
The design also emphasizes biophilia and access to nature. The building features five terraces, all off of different rooms, allowing users to easily step outside for fresh air. Features like a moss wall in the mindfulness suite extend the theme.
Balancing History and Modern Functionality
The facility also addresses a broader community need. South San Antonio currently has limited access to quality sports infrastructure.
“South San Antonio has only four other facilities for youth and amateur sports,” said University President Salvador Hector Ochoa. “This complex fills a critical gap. It supports our students while providing the community with much-needed recreational
Moravian University is the sixth-oldest college in the country, and its oldest building dates back to 1745. Given this significant history, respect for the university’s past was critical to the design process. On the exterior, the ESa design team selected stone and brick that match other buildings on campus. However, the building is also infused with modern materials such as the expansive bird-strike glass walls to bring transparency and daylight into interior spaces.
From an operational perspective, however, the HUB offers a much-needed overhaul. “The old HUB was a patchwork quilt of different HVAC and electrical systems,” Donato said. “From a facilities perspective, it’s exciting to learn the new systems of the building and start fresh.”
A Model for the Future
The new HUB speaks not only to Moravian University’s mission and values, but also to the larger shift in higher education landscape, where mental health and wellness for students and employees alike are becoming the focus of many capital project investments.
“This building really puts wellness at the forefront, and we’ve already had prospective students respond positively — even just to the renderings,” Corr said. “Having all these things in the center of campus is really a game changer, and it doesn’t hurt to have a brand-new building when people are taking tours. It’s a win on a lot of levels.”
When complete, the new HUB will serve as a centerpiece for the university community.
“This is a project that students, faculty, staff and alumni can all be proud of,” Donato added.
The complex will feature an eight-lane NCAA-certified competition track, a multipurpose field and an upgraded softball facility with a new press box, dugouts and seating for 350 spectators. | Photo Credit: Texas A&M–San Antonio
To stabilize the site and manage water flow, engineers adjusted bank heights, refined slope elevations and added flood-control measures.
Photo Credit: Texas A&M–San Antonio
The facility also addresses a broader community need, as South San Antonio currently has limited access to quality sports infrastructure. | Photo Credit: Paragon
Sports, Sustainability and Steel
Georgia Tech’s newest athletics facility offers an opportunity to creatively repurpose structural elements
By Lindsey Coulter
The Georgia Institute of Technology Athletics Department recently celebrated a milestone in the construction of the Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center. On March 8, the project team and stakeholders gathered for the topping-out ceremony as the construction crew installed the center’s final steel
strategy for removing, refabricating and reusing the steel beams.
“Steel reclamation, salvage, deconstruction and reuse are not common practices,” said Kelly Roberts, PE, SE, LEED AP BD+C, Principal and Managing Director of Walter P Moore. “Typically, steel is recycled, and when a building is being demolished, you’ll separate out the metals because they have a very high recycled value.”
To be recycled, steel is melted down in furnaces
neutral; however, the sustainability benefits were clear. According to the team’s calculations, the strategy saved approximately 25,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide, which is roughly equivalent to 60,000 miles driven by an average gas-powered vehicle.
“It’s incredible the amount of energy you can save by avoiding the steel recycling process,” Roberts said. “Ultimately, the only carbon emissions that were associated with this deconstruction were related to the
“There are a few places in the building where we’re not covering [the pipes] with fireproofing; we’re painting and protecting them. That way you can actually point to them and see that circularity.” – Marc Clear, Principal, SLAM
beam. Interestingly, several of the steel members used in the 100,000-square-foot project already had a long history with the university.
Located in the northeast corner of Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field, the Fanning Center is being constructed on the footprint of the former Edge/Rice Center, the university’s old athletic headquarters. When complete, the Fanning Center will serve as a state-ofthe-art hub for Georgia Tech student-athletes, offering new and improved strength and conditioning and sports medicine facilities as well as a sports science lab, nutrition services, and meeting and office spaces.
In addition to emphasizing the university’s commitment to student-athletes, the project also puts the institution’s sustainability values on display. Designed by the S/L/A/M Collaborative (SLAM), with Walter P Moore as structural engineer and constructed by DPR Construction, the project incorporated multiple carbonand energy-reducing strategies. Most significantly, it included repurposing steel members from a portion of the Bobby Dodd Stadium’s upper deck that was demolished to establish the Fanning Center structure.
Ideation to Implementation
The project first broke ground in March 2024. During the planning process, however, the Walter P Moore team recognized a unique opportunity to sustainably reclaim steel members from the stadium to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable design. The goals were
PROJECT TEAM
that are heated to at least 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, a highly energy-intensive process, after which the steel is most often recast and rerolled into new steel shapes. In contrast, the team developed a strategy to remove the steel from the stadium structure, transport it to a local fabrication shop to receive new connection material and then return it to the project site for use in the new Fanning Center. While the process sounds straightforward, it required extensive pre-planning, collaboration and documentation review as well as group site walks to get all members on the same page.
Reimagining Materials
Most of the steel members that were good candidates for reuse were part of the raker system of the upper deck of the stadium, according to Will Childs, P.E., S.E., Project Manager at Walter P Moore.
“Those were taken from being sloped or trussed members, supporting seating units, and then taken down and cut into shorter lengths, then reused as a beam or column in the new building,” Childs said.
The team also evaluated the possibility of salvaging some composite steel, which is steel that had been cast integrally with the steel deck and concrete above as part of the floor.
“That’s actually something that the steel industry is researching right now: how to make more steel salvageable and develop some best practices to make sure we can get the most out of salvage, deconstruction and reuse to make this approach more widespread,” Roberts said.
Thomas A. Fanning Student-Athlete Performance Center
Owner: Georgia Institute of Technology
Structural Engineer: Walter P Moore
Architect: The S/L/A/M Collaborative
Contractor: DPR Construction
Steel Fabricator: Steel LLC
Demolition Contractor: Green Circle Demolition
to repurpose the existing structural elements without compromising the project timeline or budget, to improve material circularity, to reduce waste and to significantly lower the project’s embodied carbon footprint. This required seamless collaboration between Green Circle Demolition and DPR Construction managers to ensure they could successfully salvage and reintegrate the steel beams into the new structure.
Team members had a unique advantage in that they were able to study the stadium plans and develop a solid
In the meantime, Roberts encourages teams that are considering similar strategies to begin conversations as early as possible with all project partners. Because the value of demolition steel is often factored into the demolition subcontractor’s contract, having the conversation early can help address financial and contractual questions in a timely manner.
“In this case, we also got the construction manager at-risk involved early,” added Marc Clear, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Principal and National Market Leader with SLAM. “They were hired just a few weeks after the design team. A design-build method could also deliver that capability, but having the demolition scope as part of the primary project was key.”
Sustainability and Ingenuity
Ultimately, the salvage effort was cost- and schedule-
deconstruction and the transportation of the steel nine miles to the fabricator. Just the proximity makes this a hyperlocal, super circular process, which is not common.”
“We’re trying to take the next steps in better sustainability. Recycling is viewed as kind of a minimal level that we should be doing, but we can do a lot better with more cradle-to-cradle circularity and reuse,” added Clear.
Georgia Tech has completed multiple highly sustainable projects, including one of the first net-zero projects in the Southeast. The Fanning Center project established LEED Gold-level standards in its design. The high-performing envelope will reduce energy usage, and the project integrates mass timber constructed using regionally available southern yellow pine. Additionally, all new steel used on the project comes with environmental product declarations.
Many strategies were also used to reduce carbon emissions in the concrete, which was used in the foundations, slab and decks. The team creatively minimized concrete use and required environmental product declarations for all mixes.
“With concrete, we push for carbon reductions by mandating cement replacement,” Roberts said. “We had a great partner on this project in Thomas Concrete, and they provided mixes that used ground granulated blast furnace slag and fly ash in high-volume replacements.”
Thomas Concrete also used carbon cure, a postindustrial carbon dioxide that is injected into the mix to reduce the amount of concrete required, as well as a mixture called Exceed to further reduce the necessary concrete.
Building a Legacy
When the project is completed in spring 2026, many of the salvaged steel members and pipes will be visible to visitors, establishing clear design connections between the two structures and telling a larger sustainability story.
“There are a few places in the building where we’re not covering [the pipes] with fireproofing; we’re painting and protecting them,” Clear said. “That way you can actually point to them and see that circularity.”
While the team looks forward to the finished product, they’re also proud to be part of the university’s effort to reduce carbon emissions, bring a bit of history into a project that will serve students for decades to come, and offer a replicable case study of creative reuse to fellow design, construction and demolition teams.
“This isn’t something that can happen just because one team member wants to push it; it takes a lot of people to come to the table,” Childs said. “That starts at the ownership level and goes all the way to the person welding in the field. Every single person that touched the project along the way had to be interested in making it happen.”
Designing for Resilient Urban Athletics
Columbia University’s vertical tennis center uses daylighting, creative ‘wet floodproofing’ approach
By Neall Digert, Ph.D., MIES
Developing athletic facilities in dense, urban environments can present a unique set of challenges. While these types of projects are often constrained by surrounding development and environmental barriers, design teams are still expected to deliver safe, high-performance spaces that support rigorous activities. At the same time, designs must anticipate the realities of climate change by embedding resilience and sustainability at every level.
Columbia University’s Philip & Cheryl Milstein Family Tennis Center stands as a model of resilient design, demonstrating how to successfully overcome these challenges. Perched on the northern tip of Manhattan between the Hudson and Harlem Rivers, the state-of-the-art facility employs a vertical building strategy, advanced daylighting solutions and flood-resilient design concepts to create one of the most forward-thinking collegiate athletic centers in the country.
This project also reflects broader industry trends: the rise of climate-conscious design, the imperative for sustainable building practices and the growing importance of maximizing limited urban land. With U.S. Census data showing that 88% of metropolitan areas gained population between 2023 and 2024, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) projecting increasingly severe storms from climate change, the importance of space-conscious, adaptive design will only continue to rise.
Meeting the Urban Challenge
When Perkins&Will set out to design the Milstein Family Tennis Center, the firm faced the dual challenge of replacing an aging structure within Columbia University’s Baker Athletics Complex while also reflecting the institution’s commitment to resilient, high-performance design. Given the site’s proximity to two major waterways in one of the nation’s most densely populated areas, the project required a facility that met NCAA standards with six indoor and six outdoor courts, plus training areas, locker rooms and social spaces.
Adding to the complexity, the building had to maintain strong visual and physical connections to the surrounding park and waterfront, despite the site’s vulnerability to flooding.
“The motto for this project was fitness for all, and our team needed to create both a functional athletic facility and a community space within a constrained footprint, on land that has narrowly escaped severe flooding in the past and faces ongoing risk in the future,” said Stephen Sefton, Design Director, Principal, Perkins&Will.
Building Up, Not Out
To surmount the site’s restrictions, the design team implemented a vertical building strategy: elevating six indoor courts above the 100-year floodplain surrounded by
resilient support areas with six more courts stacked above on the roof, with six more on the roof. This tiered design supported spatial and functional needs without compromising the surrounding landscape.
By building vertically, Perkins&Will was able to incorporate social gathering areas and training amenities while also creating opportunities for more strategic integration of daylighting features and view corridors.
Harnessing Natural Daylight
Daylighting was a central design driver for the Milstein Family Tennis Center. To enhance visibility, comfort and energy efficiency, the design team specified Kingspan Light + Air’s UniGrid™ FRP Wall System with Verti-Lite™ grid pattern and integrated windows for the indoor courts. The translucent panels allow for abundant, diffused natural daylight while minimizing glare and thermal hotspots, key factors in athlete performance and comfort.
“Natural daylight was essential for this project, not only to reduce reliance on electric
lighting, but to create an environment where athletes can perform at their best,” Sefton continued. “The UniGrid™ system gave us the ability to balance soft, even daylight with clear sightlines, ensuring the space feels bright, comfortable and connected to its surroundings.”
Research continues to validate these benefits. Studies from the Lighting Research Center demonstrate that exposure to daylight influences serotonin levels and alertness, helping reduce fatigue and sharpen cognitive performance, critical in high-intensity environments such as athletic training and competition. Similarly, a peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that workers with greater exposure to daylight reported higher vitality, better sleep quality and longer rest duration than those in windowless spaces. In athletic facilities, these findings reinforce the role of daylighting as a performance strategy, supporting sharper concentration, faster reaction times and improved overall well-being.
Framed windows integrated into the translucent wall system build on this approach by introducing curated views of the Hudson and Harlem rivers. The façade’s vertical rhythm of metal fins and white cladding references Manhattan’s maritime and industrial heritage while delivering a clean, contemporary aesthetic.
Designing for Resilience and Efficiency
Given the site’s proximity to two rivers, flood preparedness was essential. Instead of relying on traditional dry floodproofing, the team used a “wet floodproofing” approach at the ground level. Flood vents and elevated mechanical systems allow water to flow in and out during extreme weather events, reducing long-term material degradation and ensuring rapid recovery.
Daylighting strategies further complement these resilience measures by lowering energy demand and advancing sustainability goals. In addition to their health and productivity benefits, daylighting systems play a critical role in sustainable building design. In commercial buildings, where electric lighting accounts for 35% to 50% of total annual energy use, daylighting can significantly reduce operational carbon emissions. Lowering electric lighting use also decreases cooling demand by roughly 15%, boosting both energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
By minimizing reliance on electric lighting, the Milstein Family Tennis Center reduces operational costs, lowers its carbon footprint and extends the facility’s performance lifecycle.
A Model for Future Urban Facilities
As one of the first vertical tennis centers in the region, the Milstein Family Tennis Center sets a precedent for future urban athletic facilities. It illustrates how creative architecture, sustainable construction methods and advanced daylighting technologies can converge to meet modern demands: space efficiency, climate resilience and occupant well-being.
“At the Milstein Family Tennis Center, advanced daylighting strategies elevate performance, comfort and energy efficiency, while also showing how natural daylight integration supports long-term sustainability goals across commercial, institutional and athletic facilities,” said Joel Edmondson, Vice President of Customer Experience at Kingspan Light + Air. “Projects like this inspire our team and shape the future solutions we develop to support innovation across the A/E/C industry.”
For developers, architects and facility managers across commercial, institutional and athletic markets, Columbia’s project underscores a larger message: building up, not out, may be the way forward in creating resilient, space-conscious and sustainable urban environments.
Neall Digert, Ph.D., MIES, is Vice President, Innovation and Market Development, for Kingspan Light + Air North America.
By integrating advanced daylighting and resilient construction, Columbia University sets a new model for sustainable, high-performance urban athletic facilities. Photo Credit (all): Kingspan Light + Air
The Philip & Cheryl Milstein Family Tennis Center rises above the Hudson and Harlem Rivers, showcasing a vertical design that maximizes limited urban space while enhancing athletic performance.
uses co-housing principles, connection to nature, intentional study spaces separate from sleeping rooms, prioritizing quality rest, encouraging an active lifestyle and providing easy access to mental health support.
Student Housing Leads the Industry in Wellness and Sustainable Design by Addressing Student Values
By Ben Kasdan
Student housing design leads the industry in wellness and sustainable design strategies because the current generation of college students, primarily members of Gen Z, expect their communities to address those issues. This cohort exhibits more self-awareness of their own mental and physical wellness, expresses less stigma about mental illness and has demonstrated more interest in the greater good at a younger age than previous generations. As the current generation of student residents graduate and
enter the workforce in the next few years, they will expect market rate housing to do a better job of addressing wellness and sustainability too.
Encouragingly, the University of Michigan’s latest Annual Healthy Minds Study from 2023-2024, which surveyed 100,000-plus college students from more than 200 universities across the country, reports positive trends in mental health outcomes for American students: “..there are decreases in symptoms of anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide, and increases in receiving mental health care and support.” Specifically, the study found a decrease in severe depressive symptoms from 23% in 2022 and 20% in 2023 to 19% in 2024, more students (61%) are using mental health therapy or counseling compared to 59% in 2023, and more students reported taking psychiatric medication (31% in 2024 vs. 29% in 2022 and 2023). This and other studies do show an increase in the diagnosis of mental illness among college students, though this may be attributable to greater awareness and increased diagnoses, not increased prevalence.
Remember that the Gen Z students entering college now were in middle and high school during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and they bring that visceral experience of isolation and missing milestones with them. The potential impact of health-related events
deeply affected their collective perspective on the world and their individual roles within it. To them, health and wellness are associated with personal safety and their ability to thrive, so they bring that expectation to their first experience living away from home. These factors and preferences lead designers to make student housing communities that effectively employ wellness and sustainable strategies to resonate with the current generation of student residents.
The KTGY Research and Development Studio created “Thrive Hall,” a student housing concept for mental health and wellness that proposes seven evidencebased design objectives to improve and support the mental health of student residents: creating community “pods” of 50 or fewer people, reinforcing community using current co-housing principles, connection to nature in both natural light and outdoor spaces, intentional study spaces separate from sleeping rooms, prioritizing quality rest, encouraging an active lifestyle, and providing easy access to mental health support. Building on the research foundation of Thrive Hall, KTGY designs student housing communities, such as The 87 near the University of Notre Dame and Pique near UC Berkeley, which employ these design principles.
The 87 in South Bend, Ind., creates community pods by subdividing the site into multiple buildings and a variety of types of units, both stacked-flats and multi-story units. The visual and physical connection to nature is emphasized by a series of amenity courtyards linking the buildings and creating a hierarchy and mix of outdoor
spaces. A
with positive comments about the multiple study rooms, common amenity spaces and resident services programming.
Pique in Berkeley, Calif., leans into co-living by proposing macro-units that can house up to 14 students — a strategy to reinforce a sense of community while
also increasing housing attainability by creating a unique path to non-subsidized affordability in an extremely highcost housing market. Pique only parks bicycles on site, which reinforces its aggressive sustainability goals while also encouraging physical activity and enhancing the walkability of its infill urban context.
The lack of parking for automobiles at Pique also responds to Gen Z’s decreased interest in private car ownership as both a cost-saving strategy and, perhaps more altruistically, to reduce their personal carbon footprint and preferring public transportation, cycling and ridesharing over solo-driving. McKinsey published a report in 2022, citing data from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, that noted the stark decrease in the percentage of teenage drivers: in 1997, 43% of 16-yearolds and 62% of 17-year-olds (aka the “elder Millennials”) had driver licenses; but by 2020, only 25% of 16-year-olds and 45% of 17-year-olds had drivers licenses.
Student housing design is often on the forefront of trends, and it represents the next era of housing designed to support human wellness and sustainability. Today’s student residents are tomorrow’s market-rate apartment dwellers. These current student residents’ values are successfully influencing the design and programming of their communities at universities across the country and will continue to do so as they emerge into the greater housing market in the next several years.
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large central study space located adjacent to the other main amenity spaces (leasing, lounge and fitness areas) and satellite study spaces are dispersed throughout the other buildings as well. The 87 opened in the fall of 2024 and the initial reviews indicate early successes in building a welcoming sense of community,
Ben Kasdan is a Principal at KTGY.
The Thrive Hall concept
The KTGY Research and Development Studio created “Thrive Hall,” a student housing concept for mental health and wellness that proposes seven evidence-based design objectives to improve and support the mental health of student residents. | Photo Credit (all): KTGY
The 87 creates community pods by subdividing the site into multiple buildings and a variety of types of units, both stacked-flats and multi-story units.
The 87 in South Bend, Ind., opened in the fall of 2024 to positive comments about the multiple study rooms, common amenity spaces and resident services programming.
