The California University of Science and Medicine, located in San Bernardino County east of Los Angeles, has recently completed its new School of Medicine. The project is the first building and anchor of the university’s new Colton campus. HMC and SmithGroup collaborated on the project.
The three-story, 85,000-sf project features ample use of glass that allows natural light to flow through the building and create visual connections to nature. A two-story window overlooks the plaza and glass curtainwalls running the full height of the building in all four corner stairwells further this connection and create a lantern effect when illuminated at night.
Included in the School of medicine are lab and active learning classrooms; four simulation rooms, including an operating room; a standardized patient training suite; and multi-media systems that allow sessions with visiting speakers and prominent faculty to be recorded and streamed to other areas of the building.
A large plaza in front of the building connects to the Arrowhead Medical Center and fosters interaction between medical students and health practitioners. Two lecture halls open on to the plaza, which features ample seating, a shady tree grove, and a water feature to create pleasant study areas for study, socialization, and relaxation. The space can also host graduation ceremonies and other events.
HMC and SmithGroup’s design-build plan saved substantial time and money. The plan took cues from commercial building project and using a tilt-up concrete construction system and finishes that are more typically associated with office buildings. The project was completed nine months ahead of schedule and $1.5 million under budget.
Related Stories
| Feb 25, 2014
Are these really the 'world's most spectacular university buildings'? [slideshow]
Emporis lists its top 13 higher education buildings from around the world. Do you agree with the rankings?
| Feb 24, 2014
First look: UC San Diego opens net-zero biological research lab
The facility is intended to be "the most sustainable laboratory in the world," and incorporates natural ventilation, passive cooling, high-efficiency plumbing, and sustainably harvested wood.
| Feb 14, 2014
Crowdsourced Placemaking: How people will help shape architecture
The rise of mobile devices and social media, coupled with the use of advanced survey tools and interactive mapping apps, has created a powerful conduit through which Building Teams can capture real-time data on the public. For the first time, the masses can have a real say in how the built environment around them is formed—that is, if Building Teams are willing to listen.
| Feb 13, 2014
University officials sound off on net zero energy buildings
As part of its ongoing ZNE buildings research project, Sasaki Associates, in collaboration with Buro Happold, surveyed some 500 campus designers and representatives on the top challenges and opportunities for achieving net-zero energy performance on university and college campuses.
| Feb 4, 2014
World's fifth 'living building' certified at Smith College [slideshow]
The Bechtel Environmental Classroom utilizes solar power, composting toilets, and an energy recovery system, among other sustainable strategies, to meet the rigorous performance requirements of the Living Building Challenge.
| Feb 4, 2014
Must see: Student housing complex made with recycled shipping containers
Architect Christian Salvati's new structure is just the first step in bringing shipping container construction to New Haven, Conn.
| Jan 31, 2014
6 considerations for rehabbing student union buildings
Most colleges and universities feel pressure to offer the latest amenities in order to attract and retain the best and brightest students. While hauling in the bulldozer to create modern facilities is attractive in some regards, deciding to renovate can be just as effective and, in some cases, even preferable to new construction.
| Jan 29, 2014
Notre Dame to expand football stadium in largest project in school history
The $400 million Campus Crossroads Project will add more than 750,000 sf of academic, student life, and athletic space in three new buildings attached to the school's iconic football stadium.
| Jan 28, 2014
16 awe-inspiring interior designs from around the world [slideshow]
The International Interior Design Association released the winners of its 4th Annual Global Excellence Awards. Here's a recap of the winning projects.
| Jan 13, 2014
Custom exterior fabricator A. Zahner unveils free façade design software for architects
The web-based tool uses the company's factory floor like "a massive rapid prototype machine,” allowing designers to manipulate designs on the fly based on cost and other factors, according to CEO/President Bill Zahner.
