The Spark, Washington State University’s (WSU) new 83,295-sf high-performance digital classroom building, provides the campus with a network of flexible, technology-enabled learning environments. The ZGF Architects-designed facility includes a variety of classroom types including formal, informal, large group, small group, individual, active, problem-based, and maker spaces.
The classroom spaces are flexible and allow for easy transition from a lecture format to group discussion. Students can reserve a variety of group study rooms by using iPads mounted outside of the rooms. “Learning lounges” are located on each level and provide space for meeting and help manage the large numbers of students congregating outside of classrooms before and after class. A naturally lit central stair links the interior spaces together and acts as a wayfinding tool.
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider.
The highlight of the new building, and also the largest classroom in The Spark, is a circle-in-the-round 360-degree active learning hall. This classroom forgoes the typical tiered seating lecture hall concept and instead provides students with 360 degrees of projected content that encircles the faculty.
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider.
Large glass windows are found throughout the building to bring natural light and transparency to learning and support spaces. A roof deck furthers the connection to the surrounding natural environment. The Spark is currently on track to receive LEED Silver certification.
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider.
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider.
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider.
Related Stories
| Jul 18, 2014
Top Engineering Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Fluor, Arup, Day & Zimmermann top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest engineering firms in the United States.
| Jul 18, 2014
Top Architecture Firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Gensler, Perkins+Will, NBBJ top Building Design+Construction's 2014 ranking of the largest architecture firms in the United States.
| Jul 18, 2014
2014 Giants 300 Report
Building Design+Construction magazine's annual ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S.
| Jul 17, 2014
A harmful trade-off many U.S. green buildings make
The Urban Green Council addresses a concern that many "green" buildings in the U.S. have: poor insulation.
| Jul 11, 2014
$44.5 million Centennial Hall opens at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Centennial Hall houses the College of Education and Human Sciences and consolidates teacher education. It is the first new academic building on the UW-Eau Claire campus in more than 30 years.
| Jul 10, 2014
Berkeley Lab opens 'world's most comprehensive building efficiency simulator'
DOE’s new FLEXLAB is a first-of-its-kind simulator that lets users test energy-efficient building systems individually or as an integrated system, under real-world conditions.
| Jul 9, 2014
Harvard Business School to build large-scale conference center
Expected to open in 2018, the facility will combine the elements of a large-scale conference center, a performance space, and an intimate community forum. The new building will be designed by Boston-based William Rawn and Associates.
| Jul 7, 2014
7 emerging design trends in brick buildings
From wild architectural shapes to unique color blends and pattern arrangements, these projects demonstrate the design possibilities of brick.
| Jul 2, 2014
Emerging trends in commercial flooring
Rectangular tiles, digital graphic applications, the resurgence of terrazzo, and product transparency headline today’s commercial flooring trends.
| Jul 1, 2014
Winning design by 3XN converts modernist bathhouse to university library
Danish firm 3XN's design wins competition for a new educational facility for Mälardalen University in Sweden, which will house a library, communal spaces, and offices for 4,500 students and staff.