The newly completed I.W. “Ike” Cousins Center for Science and Innovation on the Oglethorpe University campus houses laboratory classrooms, spaces for interactive study across disciplines, and the university’s newly established Q. William Hammack Jr. School of Business.
The Cousins Center was built from a three-story modernist building originally constructed in 1970 and includes a 25,000-sf U-shaped addition that wraps three sides of the original hall. Modern elements, such as extensive glass walls, multiple new entryways that connect pedestrians from all corners of the campus, and enhanced accessibility were incorporated into the new design.
Many of these contemporary components, such as the curtain wall, metal panels, and roof overhangs were based on the fundamental proportions of historic documents discovered by the design team to appropriately blend the old with the new. Additionally, slate roofing tiles, granite walls, and precast concrete detailing provides a connection to the campus’ Collegiate Gothic architecture.
See Also: Columbus State Community College’s Mitchell Hall set to open for the coming semester
The Center’s interior includes a new space called “The Garage” that features a stage and tiered bleacher seating for events, as well as an industrial garage door that opens to a quad-level outdoor terrace. Upstairs, a loft space with reservable meeting rooms serves as an incubation lab where students can develop startups or create products.
The Cousins Center opened to students for the Fall semester, which began on Aug. 19.
Related Stories
University Buildings | Feb 9, 2021
Purpose-built facility for University of South Florida’s Judy Genshaft Honors College breaks ground
Morphosis designed the project.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 8, 2021
Student housing development in the time of COVID-19
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, many college and university residences were completed in time for classes, live or virtual. Here are 14 of the best.
Giants 400 | Dec 16, 2020
Download a PDF of all 2020 Giants 400 Rankings
This 70-page PDF features AEC firm rankings across 51 building sectors, disciplines, and specialty services.
University Buildings | Dec 13, 2020
U. of Oregon’s new Knight Campus is set up to turn ideas into reality
Its design encourages occupant productivity and well-being.
Giants 400 | Dec 3, 2020
2020 Science & Technology Facilities Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the S+T sector
HDR, Jacobs, and Turner head BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest science and technology (S+T) facilities sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2020 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Dec 2, 2020
2020 University Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the higher education sector
Gensler, AECOM, and Turner Construction top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest university sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2020 Giants 400 Report.
University Buildings | Nov 25, 2020
Stanford bioresearch quad's new public art piece, “Morphogenesis”
Stanford University's Morphogenesis installation connects user interaction with a large-scale media mesh platform.
University Buildings | Nov 20, 2020
Why precast concrete is an appealing choice for student housing
A variety of material solutions are emerging to accelerate construction timelines, and precast concrete has become an attractive option.
Laboratories | Nov 16, 2020
Washington State University’s new Plant Sciences Building opens
LMN Architects designed the project.
AEC Tech | Nov 12, 2020
The Weekly show: Nvidia's Omniverse, AI for construction scheduling, COVID-19 signage
BD+C editors speak with experts from ALICE Technologies, Build Group, Hastings Architecture, Nvidia, and Woods Bagot on the November 12 episode of "The Weekly." The episode is available for viewing on demand.
