Metal Construction News, February 2021
PROJECT FEATURE Future Oriented Science Education By Photo Brennan Photo Video Photo Brennan Photo Video Me t a l an d g l a s s c r e a t e a s t r ik ing imag e for I owa Opened in 2019 the DeWitt Family Science Center creates a gateway that defines and updates the character of Northwestern College in Orange City Iowa The state ofthe art 61000 square foot facility is located on the west edge of campus and serves the health science programs including biology chemistry and a new on campus nursing department which was previously housed in a nearby hospital CMBA Architects Sioux City Iowa was the architect of record for the project working alongside HGA Minneapolis the design architect The three story building features eight classroom labs five research labs six human patient simulators 22 faculty offices two skybridges and a 960 square foot greenhouse Theres also one DNA gene sequencer making Northwestern one of only two institutions in Iowa with one There is also dedicated space for collaborative student faculty research and provides students of biology chemistry or nursing with state ofthe art facilities to match the exceptional science education and career preparation the school is known for Amy Douma AIA LEED AP design principal at HGA says that the DeWitt Family Science Center represents a bold vision for the colleges future by relocating and expanding the high profile health sciences programs into a single location that encourages visibility innovation and academic integration While the majority of Northwesterns buildings are brick the new science center is a modern facility designed to set the tone for the schools future Additionally its main focal feature is a cantilever that provides amazing views of the campus Since this required a low weight material the architects chose a coated metal The facilitys focal point is a light filled classroom that supports contemporary Marcy Marro Editor Photo Paul Brokering Photography Photo Paul Brokering Photography collaborative science education Douma adds This space cantilevers from the upper floors toward the primary road entering the campus and glows acting as a welcoming beacon at night By using simple modern massing and contemporary materials the architects were able to create a striking image against the adjacent brick buildings with expanses of glass to showcase the scientific study within While much of the design contrasts with the surrounding buildings its façade colors and the integration of existing circulation paths enable it to blend with and reinforce the overall campus organization explains Douma To create a cohesive look with the nearby brick buildings Americlad Quality Metalcrafts LLC Rogers Minn provided its AC 5000 flat lock panels in three custom two coat mica finishes of Minneapolis based Sherwin Williams Coil Coatings Fluropon 70 PVDF coil coating in Expresso 24 METAL CONSTRUCTION NEWS February 2021
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