THE POINT
Concept Design
Planning
Research
With open classrooms, private offices, and a gathering statement soffit, The Point celebrates public/private partnerships. Businesses are invited to occupy private office space and, in turn, students are invited to engage in career opportunities within the space. With its various users, The Point encourages all work/study methods with the makerspace, the rec room, and the cafe. The POINT is one of a kind.
“The ability to accommodate so many differing functioning elements all at once while inviting modification as needed is the epitome of flexibility. The result is a high-spirited, energetic environment that encourages knowledge sharing and general communication. An easy communal vibe of open seating, game tables, spaces to tuck in to for more intimate moments is The Point.”
2019 IIDA Awards Jury Comments
Jury: Angie Lee, AIA, IIDA, Nina Etnier, and Mavis Wiggins
Challenge
To create an entrepreneurial ecosystem connecting education, community, and industry in a collaborative environment while providing experiential learning opportunities for Otterbein University students.
Solution
Through careful space planning, the design team defined the requirements for a space which met the varying needs of each stakeholder. By combining flexible academic and business incubation spaces, co-working environments, an event hall, and a recreational lounge, WSA worked with Otterbein University to execute their vision of transforming a warehouse in a remote area of campus into a destination for top-caliber students, innovative companies, and the surrounding community.
Swipe to see The Point's transformation from a dusty, desolate warehouse to a vibrant space for connection.
250 Graduates
As part of an organizational mission to encourage leadership and student engagement, 250 Otterbein graduates have been employed by JPMorgan Chase.
Results
The Point propelled Otterbein’s liberal arts education into the 21st Century and positioned the University for continued success. The Department of Engineering has expanded from one to four fields of study, and the facility has attracted partners such as JPMorgan Chase and Nestle, who have brought over one hundred jobs to the community. The Point also hosts summer camps, such as the Young Entrepreneurs Academy.
A community-driven innovation center in the heart of a quiet, peaceful village? That’s a story we’re proud to be a part of.
2019 AIA Columbus Merit Award Winner
The Point is one of a kind
With an intense pro forma and a lot of planning, this project
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