Academic
BRASEE HALL LIBRARY RENOVATION
This renovation project aims to evolve the function of the library on campus. Often seen only as a resource center, the administration at Ohio University challenged the design team to design a place that will draw students to the library as a centerpiece of college life on campus. The entry to the facility beckons students to enter through media displays and information kiosks. Once inside the library, there are areas set aside for social interaction, community meetings, and secluded study. The staff of the library are all centrally located on the “public” level of the library, with active seating and research areas adjacent to the main circulation and reference desk. Meeting rooms are also close by and feature glass fronts to increase safety and security. The upper level of the library features quiet areas and all of the stacks to support independent research and and knowledge collection. Additionally, the upper level accommodates quiet study areas for students and student teams. This project is also a renovation in an existing building and includes complicated logistics to swing the library to functional alternative space, and difficult decisions regarding anticipated costs for renovations to specific areas of the building. The project budget also includes a comprehensive roof replacement and upgrades to rest rooms and athletic facilities on the campus as well as the library.
KNOWLTON HALL
This new facility houses all three sections of the Knowlton School of Architecture. WSA Studio partnered with Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects on the design of this project. Located adjacent to Ohio Stadium, the building is a major feature on the northwest corner of the academic core of the campus. The structure is post-tensioned concrete construction and features a sophisticated exterior wall “rain screen”. Marble shingles and glass create a unique exterior aesthetic, while the interior is highlighted by a raw, stark exposed concrete and steel vernacular. The building harnesses state of the art cutting-edge technology to support the architectural educational process, and the open visually connected studios promote cross-discipline intellectual growth. Additionally, students are able to see the work of older/younger students which promotes academic mentorship. Central to the plan is an “inclined plane” which serves as the functional connector between studio spaces and also fosters collaboration among each discipline. A one thousand student auditorium, a centralized meeting area, a gallery, a third party cafe and a nationally award winning library are featured spaces within the building. Furnishings for this facility were either custom designed or are part of a collection of classic modernist furniture, designed by famous architects and designers.
ATHENA THEATER RENOVATION
This renovation project aims to provide much needed collegiate classroom space for Ohio University on their main campus in Athens. The university is currently transitioning to a semester based educational calendar, and this change has driven the demand for classroom space. The Athena is a University owned theatre, which currently supports the College of Arts and Science. WSA Studio and Scheeser Buckley Mayfield have worked diligently with University representatives to transform this theatre into a viable classroom environment. The lighting, HVAC system, technology, and accessibility have all been addressed as part of the project. Additionally, the project is a landmark within the Athens community and the design team is working to ensure that the building does not lose its ability to support the burgeoning arts community.
HOLLENBECK BAYLEY CONFERENCE CENTER
WSA Studio has recently completed the installation of furniture and fixtures at the performing arts expansion designed by Lincoln Street Studio on the downtown Springfield campus of Clark State Community College. The furnishings selected were the result of meetings with users to determine the best use of the space, and are also intended to support the architecture of the building. WSA Studio specified, managed the bid process, and coordinated the finishes and the installation with support from Ioso Design.
TREE OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Tree of Life purchased this former corporate facility in 2010 and conceptualizes its transformation into a thriving educational complex and ministry center. The original buildings will be renovated to support educational missions from preschool through high school, and the central feature of the design is a “Pathway” connecting the original buildings and the athletic additions. The sprawling complex will include an arts focus wing, a center for performing arts and ministry, an athletic complex. Utilizing the latest educational technology is vital to the mission of the school, and initial plans feature a fiber infrastructure capable of supporting wireless, notebook/tablet based education in grades 5-12. WSA Studio has been charged with the development of an educational specification working in collaboration with the curriculum director and the superintendent of schools. The renovation will be able to support student population growth to double the school’s existing size through the use of a triple track educational model. This project is being executed in partnership with James Calhoun Architects, LLC.
WORLD MEDIA & CULTURE CENTER; HAGERTY HALL
Hagerty is one of the most significant structures on the campus at Ohio State. Built in 1920 on the Oval, a significant quadrangle that anchors campus, the building was expanded in 1959 and then fell into disarray over time. The rehabilitated structure features a new auditorium, a central outdoor courtyard and new technology infused learning and mentoring environments for foreign language education. The renovation was a design collaboration with Leers Weinzapfel Associates, 2007 AIA Gold Medal Firm. The building accommodates unique spaces that provide streaming video from around the world in real time. Progressive technologies capture global media and educators re-purpose the information to support regional and local education. The first level houses a Hyper-media lab where educational materials can be produced and edited. Within this state of the art laboratory, educators can benefit from a audio recording booth, and editorial equipment which supports a diverse constituency of faculty on campus. Featured spaces include an international cafe, faculty offices, sophisticated distance learning classrooms, a language learning laboratory, a global gallery and a performance based auditorium and courtyard space.
AFRICENTRIC K-12 SCHOOL
Columbus City Schools are proud to provide unique academic experiences for their diverse student population. The Africentric Early College experience provides an immersion experience for students interested in engaging in an African-focused educational model. Student activities, educational philosophy, social interaction and athletic engagement are rooted in a deeply “tribal” experience. The school design strives to achieve the sense of an African village through breaking each educational level into its own unique enclave and centralizing spaces which promote discourse and community. Sustainable design is a strong focus of this project and the team is administering USGBC LEED Silver registration as part of the process. The urban site suffers from vehicular noise and the design team has been able to reduce potential sound transfer from the adjacent interstate highway through building positioning and massing. The interior of the facility features extended learning opportunities in each educational wing, a centralized courtyard concept which will support dining and multi-purpose activities, and an elegant and flexible auditorium space. The exterior facade is articulated with masonry colors and patterns evocative of traditional African patterns and textiles. WSA Studio has the role of architectural consultant to HKI Associates, Inc. and OA Spencer Architects, both firms in Columbus.
WEDGEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL
This new school creates learning pods for sixth, seventh and eighth grades on two floors. Columbus City Schools was very interested in creating a singular identity for each grade level teaching team while maintaining an equitable distribution of space and access to amenities throughout the facility. As a result, each pod contains two project laboratories, six 900 SF flexible classrooms, and two special education classrooms and can operate in its entirety as a singular team teaching environment. The pod arrangement supports the individual style of each team per grade that is encouraged by Columbus at the middle school level and serves to increase the cohesiveness of the student body and each instructional unit. Significant features of the design include large windows for maximum sunlight in each classroom, and a centralized placement of the media center and library to underscore the importance of the role this function plays in the educational process. Also included are a computer lab, state of the art music and art rooms and a new gymnasium. The exterior features masonry units, metal panels, and glassy elements.
FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY
WSA Studio has been continuously engaged in small projects for Franklin as a means to evolve their campus mission. As a part of each project, the team has established new graphics, colorway application, standardization for faculty and staff offices, and implemented brand initiatives. Additionally, the design team worked with internal Franklin leadership to establish a set of standards which are to be used in new satellite facilities as the university grows into new regional target markets for education. Projects have ranged in size from a small conference room renovation to a comprehensive building renovation and conversion to an administrative and data center for the university.
LONGABERGER ALUMNI HOUSE
This project consists of 54,000 SF housing a conference center and administrative offices for The Ohio State University Alumni Association. The Alumni House is located next to the Fawcett Center for Tomorrow, a campus outreach facility, and overlooks the Olentangy River. The Alumni House is comprised of three floors, including a mechanical penthouse, and basement print shop. Equipped with high end audio and teleconferencing technologies, the building allows for flexibility of use and accommodates growth in staffing. Office areas flow into gathering spaces and assembly areas can be partitioned to create different room configurations. Open, two-story spaces are located throughout the facility to allow users access to natural light and exterior views.
ELSON HALL RENOVATION PHASE III
This renovation project created an open atmosphere for learning, eliminating the traditional concept of utilitarian hallways. Its program includes faculty and administrative offices, computer laboratories, and classrooms. The design intent was achieved by the extensive use of glass and the creation of a dominant egg-shaped space in the center of the floor plan. This space defines areas both inside and outside of its “shell”. Hence, transforming the traditional hallway into a unique circulation path. Because of its dominant visual characteristics, the egg shaped space also becomes a point of reference throughout this 28,600 sf of renovated area.
DOWNTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
WSA Studio worked as a consultant to provide clarification to the floor plan and the relationships between disparate parts of the program for the Columbus City Schools. Efficiency of the mechanical and structural systems for the building were also optimized in the design, to provide cost savings for both up-front construction and life-long continued maintenance.
MEILING HALL OFFICE RENOVATION
WSA completed 25,000 SF of renovations to existing space on the lower and main levels of this administrative building to house offices for faculty and administration within the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University. The project included upgrades to the existing entry lobby, the existing elevator cabs and also upgrades to convert an existing open circulating stair to become a fire egress stair from the lower level. The project was done while the building was fully occupied and required that the construction work be completed in sequenced phases.
LIFELONG LEARNING CENTER – ROYER HALL
This project focused on the renovation of an existing student activities space in a building adjacent to residence halls. The new use centers on social support for academically centered students; so, the program features presentation and meeting space for student groups. WSA Studio was selected to create a flexible meeting space, with economical wood accents and warm design features to attract and retain students in the renovated space.
AQUINAS AND SIENA RESIDENCE HALLS
WSA provided design of two new residence halls that are 80,000 SF and house 400 students at Ohio Dominican University. The facility features suite arrangements for up to four students, and is intended to promote a greater sense of community on campus. The buildings are brick structures with operable windows and spectacular views over the recreation fields at the University.