University of Southern Indiana Business and Engineering Center

Please provide an overview of the project.

HOK, in association with Hafer Architects were selected to design a new Business and Engineering Center at the University of Southern Indiana.

The new facility serves expanded enrollments in the Schools of Business and Engineering at both the undergraduate and graduate level and provides needed general classroom and specialized laboratory and instructional space, faculty and administrative offices, student study areas, computer laboratories, and group meeting facilities.

The general classroom space and specialized laboratories in the new facility are used to support academic requirements for the University’s engineering program and manufacturing technology program.

This classroom and laboratory building encourages cross-disciplinary innovation by serving both the business and engineering programs interdependently. The design provides dedicated classroom and laboratory space for each program, as well as a shared central atrium.

By constructing a multipurpose classroom building for the School of Business with shared general academic instructional space and specialized laboratories, the University gained economies of scale relative to both construction and subsequent operating costs.

What are the main ideas and inspirations influencing the design of the building?

The two central conceptual goals of the project were to reflect the synergy of the Business school and the School of Engineering and to reinforce the integrity of the main quadrangle in order to develop it as the heart of the campus.

The building was programmed to house both the Business and Engineering Schools, and to support their shared mission to promote the development of the idea-to-market path.

The design team’s sensibility overlapped with USI’s aspirations and allowed the team to establish seven clear design goals:

1. A strong sense of place
2. Distinct identities with a synergy
3. Highly visible collaborative spaces
4. Connect to the local business community
5. Foster guiding principles
6. Connect with the natural setting
7. Create a regional landmark

To what extent did the clients and/or future users of the building influence the design and the outcome of the building?

Leading programming, HOK used an iterative process based on understanding client needs through listening and through design dialogue. One of the keys to the success of this project was that USI had very clear aspirational needs and they were able to articulate those to the programming team in the initial interview with Deans and Administrators.

HOK helped USI identify the qualitative and quantitative needs for the building and its users. Utilizing HOK’S Problem Seeking Methodology, HOK started with the Kick-off and Visioning Session then led a series of programming interviews with the College of Business, Department of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts, the Registrar, and Physical Plant.  These were followed by programming verification sessions with the College of Business and the Dept. of Engineering. Students participated in the process through a course assignment and were able to contribute their aspirations as well.

Following the initial interviews, priorities were aligned, a budget was established and a series of umbrella concepts were identified that captured USI’s academic and campus goals and organized our design thinking.  These included:

• Create a community of innovation
• Connect to local business
• Connect to the USI community
• Create an energetic place
• Create a flexible building
• Complete the quad
• Celebrate the collaborative educational process

Were there any significant challenges that arose during the project? If so, how did you respond to them?

The primary challenge was in establishing a program that would allow cross-disciplinary innovation by serving both the business and engineering programs interdependently. This unique combination of programs allows for sharing of important skills and knowledge, highly valuable in today’s technological and entrepreneurial environments.

HOK responded with a design solution that provides dedicated classroom and laboratory space for each program, as well as a shared central atrium for collaboration. The University’s commitment to and enthusiasm for this unique collaboration of business and engineering as a catalyst for moving innovative products to market was the seed of the ultimate building form, and their long-term vision for the campus guided the contextual development of the quadrangle.

The design makes subtle use of a green roof to hide mechanical space below grade to the left of the entrance from the quadrangle.

How does the building relate to contemporary architectural trends, be it sustainability, technology, etc.?

The facility meets or exceeds standards for green design and includes sustainable strategies such as:

• Natural light illuminates the building through upper-level clerestory windows, skylights, and light wells
• Motion sensors on lights
• Light-colored roofing reduces the heat island effect and conserves energy
• Approximately 20 percent of the materials used in construction were recycled or regionally-sourced

How would you describe the architecture of Indiana and how does the building relate to it?

Indiana has a strong tradition of masonry construction in institutional settings, and is particularly noted for the quality of its limestone. This building takes advantage of this heritage by using unit masonry and limestone cladding as primary materials.

Email interview conducted by John Hill.