Founded in 1896, Clarkson University, in Potsdam, N.Y., has for more than a century espoused practical technology-based education coupled with a spirit of invention. Those qualities came to the fore in the design and construction of a new student center.
In 2006, students voted to increase their fees to help pay for a new student union that would achieve two main goals: first, to unite many dispersed student programs in one building; and, second, to link the new center to the other academic buildings on campus.
Four years later, a Building Team led by architect Perkins+Will and contractor Pizzagalli Construction delivered a soaring three-story, 60,000-sf student center that has become the social hub for the university’s 3,000 students. The three floors are connected via a “Forum” that runs through the center of the dramatic glass-brick-sandstone structure, whose arched windows and stylized cupola allude to Old Main, the historic central structure of the university’s original downtown campus across the Raquette River.
Two enclosed bridges provide comfortable access to other academic buildings—a welcome feature, considering that winter temperatures in New York’s North Country can drop to -40°F.
The LEED Silver-targeted facility provides space for multiple activities: the main dining hall, a marché-style servery, a bar/café, multipurpose meeting rooms, a meditation room, lounges, game rooms, a convenience store, student-run radio/TV stations, the student newspaper office, soundproof music rehearsal rooms, and a post office. The Forum seating faces a huge media wall.
The national economic downturn hit just as construction was starting in early 2009. The team provided a list of design options to the university that cut costs 25% below the original budget, which allowed the university to make improvements to existing residence halls on campus.
The building uses locally produced concrete blocks invented by a member of the Clarkson engineering faculty. The blocks use 20% recycled industrial glass. The Building Team also used BIM software (Autodesk Revit) to provide tight coordination and trim construction conflicts.
To link the new student center back to Clarkson’s roots, the university asked for red sandstone to be used. The original buildings in the historic downtown campus were built with sandstone from the local quarry owned by Thomas S. Clarkson, in whose memory Clarkson University was founded. Unfortunately, the original quarry had been mined out, sending the Building Team on a mad search to find a replacement. With luck, they located an individual who had an inventory of sandstone from the original quarry—just enough for the base of the student center and several fireplaces.
Related Stories
| Feb 28, 2012
Griffin Electric completes Medical University of South Carolina project
The 210,000-sf complex is comprised of two buildings, and houses research, teaching and office areas, plus conference spaces for the University.
| Feb 22, 2012
Siemens earns LEED certification for Maryland office
The Beltsville facility, which also earned the ENERGY STAR Label for energy performance, implemented a range of energy efficiency, water conservation and sustainable operations measures as part of the certification process.
| Feb 21, 2012
SMPS announces Build Business 2012 keynote speakers
National conference set for July 11–13 in San Francisco.
| Feb 20, 2012
Comment period for update to USGBC's LEED Green Building Program now open
This third draft of LEED has been refined to address technical stringency and rigor, measurement and performance tools, and an enhanced user experience.
| Feb 17, 2012
Tremco Inc. headquarters achieves LEED Gold certification
Changes were so extensive that the certification is for new construction and not for renovation; officially, the building is LEED-NC.
| Feb 16, 2012
Summit Design + Build begins build-out for Emmi Solutions in Chicago
The new headquarters will total 20,455 sq. ft. and feature a loft-style space with exposed masonry and mechanical systems, 15 foot clear ceilings, two large rooftop skylights and private offices with full glass partition walls.
| Feb 16, 2012
4.8-megawatt solar power system completed at Jersey Gardens Mall
Solar array among the largest rooftop systems in North America.
| Feb 14, 2012
Angelo State University opens doors to new recreation center expansion
Designed by SmithGroup, the JJR_Center for Human Performance offers enhanced fitness options, dynamic gathering space.
| Feb 14, 2012
SAIC selected for architectural and engineering design services at Lajes Field, Azores
SAIC’s services will include a broad variety of new construction projects and maintenance and repair projects