New Science Building - Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky
Richmond, Kentucky
After years of being scattered in multiple buildings throughout the campus, Eastern Kentucky University’s New Science Building brings together the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics & Astronomy, Science Education, and the Division of Natural Areas. The new building was designed to create public spaces that display the sciences and encourage interaction between the departments and the wider community.
Omni led a highly collaborative design process to ensure that the building supports the way science education is currently being taught. Virtually all the faculty members of the various departments worked closely with the design team to contribute ideas, comment on plans, and develop equipment lists. As a result, the teaching spaces promote the dynamic, collaborative, experience-based teaching that is characteristic of the university. Students now thrive in the new facility, which features teaching laboratories, computational labs, faculty and student research laboratories, classrooms, seminar rooms, and faculty and student organization offices.
The building and site were designed to raise environmental awareness and to function as teaching tools. For example, metering systems display energy usage in the building; trees planted in close proximity to the building will be managed as a “natural area” where students can measure their growth and make ecological observations; an artificial outcrop, created from rock removed during blasting, is used to teach and practice field geology techniques; a storm water wetland houses a rich ecological community of native wetland plants that can be observed and studied.
In keeping with the sustainability theme, recycled wood was used in the lobby for stair treads and some of the floor surfaces. In addition, hallways and classrooms feature polished concrete, which eliminates issues related to adhesives and tile.
Omni led a highly collaborative design process to ensure that the building supports the way science education is currently being taught. Virtually all the faculty members of the various departments worked closely with the design team to contribute ideas, comment on plans, and develop equipment lists. As a result, the teaching spaces promote the dynamic, collaborative, experience-based teaching that is characteristic of the university. Students now thrive in the new facility, which features teaching laboratories, computational labs, faculty and student research laboratories, classrooms, seminar rooms, and faculty and student organization offices.
The building and site were designed to raise environmental awareness and to function as teaching tools. For example, metering systems display energy usage in the building; trees planted in close proximity to the building will be managed as a “natural area” where students can measure their growth and make ecological observations; an artificial outcrop, created from rock removed during blasting, is used to teach and practice field geology techniques; a storm water wetland houses a rich ecological community of native wetland plants that can be observed and studied.
In keeping with the sustainability theme, recycled wood was used in the lobby for stair treads and some of the floor surfaces. In addition, hallways and classrooms feature polished concrete, which eliminates issues related to adhesives and tile.
KEY TEAM MEMBERS
Eric Zabilka
Jody Boelhauf