By Lindsey CoulterĚý

The Catholic University of America’s newly completed Conway School of Nursing marks a milestone in the university’s mission to address the national nursing shortage. Designed by RAMSA (Robert A.M. Stern Architects) in collaboration with Ayers Saint Gross, and constructed by Clark Construction, the more than 102,000-square-foot facility represents a cornerstone of the university’s campus master plan and embodies the Conway School of Nursing ethos: “Where High Tech Meets High Touch.”Ěý

A Gateway Campus HubĚý

The Conway School of Nursing will not only support the university’s goal of doubling enrollment in the nursing program over the next five to seven years, but it alsoĚýestablishesĚýa new campus gateway for all students and visitors. The stately building replaces a former parking lot with a transformative academic hub that aligns with the university’s historic architecture while introducing advanced learning and sustainability features. Positioned at a prominent and highly visible site on the urban campus, the building was designed to be a new landmark, featuring a tower element that serves as both a visual and a symbolic entryway.Ěý

Additionally, the building’s site plan and landscape design by Michael Vergason Landscape Architects and Ayers Saint Gross reinforce a cohesive campus framework. In addition to the tower feature, the exterior is defined by a cascading stair that links an upper-level student commons to the Trinity Fountain below and a north quadrangle framed by the John K. Mullen of Denver Memorial Library, Edward M. Crough Center for Architectural Studies and McCort-Ward Hall.Ěý

On the third floor, a terrace shaded by a timber pergola offers sweeping views across campus, including vistas of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to the west.Ěý

Collegiate Gothic Design and Contextual IntegrationĚý

The Conway School of Nursing appropriately matches the scale and massing of neighboring buildings while embracing the Collegiate Gothic style that defines the Catholic University campus. The facility was designed to blend seamlessly with the university’s aesthetic of stone, clay roofĚýtilesĚýand bronze light fixtures.Ěý

The building’s facadeĚýshowcasesĚýa creative use of reclaimed granite, which was salvaged from Philadelphia’s Transfiguration of Our Lord Church, built in 1924 and demolished in 2009.ĚýĚý

RAMSA developed a cost-effective precast panel system that integrated the salvaged stone into the modern building envelope. Each stone was split to create a flat face and then was adhered to custom precast concrete panels, producing a durable, modular cladding system that preserves the look of traditional hand-laid masonry. This technique transformsĚýthe salvaged, century-old masonry into a durable, modular cladding system.Ěý

“It was cool to see details that came from the old church — like the holes that were drilled into the stone for flagpoles,” said Tony McConnell, Senior Associate with RAMSA, who led the precast effort. “We chose to keep all those elements, so that as you walk around the building, you see these little follies youĚýwouldn’tĚýexpect on a brand-new facility. It feels authentic.”ĚýĚý

To achieve an even higher level of authenticity and articulation, RAMSA also incorporated CNC-milled molds and rubber casting to replicate intricate stone patterns.ĚýĚý

“Detailing is challenging, but we detail our buildings to the nth degree,” McConnell said. “We want our traditional buildings to look likeĚýthey’veĚýbeen there for 100 years, and they need to fit into the context next to them. Poorly articulated details are a dead giveaway. Historically, precastĚýdoesn’tĚýlike those details — it wants flat, simple things — butĚýwe’reĚýseeing that it can do much more.”Ěý

The panels were then finished with traditional mortar, preserving the appearance of hand-laid stonework whileĚýbenefitingĚýfrom the efficiency, structural integrity and ease of installation offered by facadeĚýpanelization. This cost-effective fabrication and installation approach improved weather tightness and energy efficiency.Ěý

The precast method had theĚýadditionalĚýbenefit of making the project easier to complete on a tight urban site. As the busy main road in front of the buildingĚýcouldn’tĚýbe shut down for any extended period, using precast significantlyĚýexpeditedĚýthe construction schedule and improved safety and efficiency.ĚýĚý

“With precast, we don’t have people climbing up and down scaffolding,” McConnell added. “Anytime we can reduce scaffolding, job sites are safer places.”Ěý

The creative reuse of existing materials also helped the facility achieve LEED Gold certification (it is also targeting WELL Silver), thanks to the incorporation of green roofs, stormwater managementĚýsystemsĚýand bioretention facilities.Ěý

Learn more about how the building blends tradition and technology while centering wellness (and fulfilling a vision that was firstĚýestablishedĚýin Catholic University’s 2012 campus master plan) in the Ěý

Learn More

Project Name: The Catholic University of America Conway School of NursingĚý

Area: 102,000 gross square feetĚý

Construction Cost: $62 millionĚý

Architects: Ayers Saint Gross in collaboration with RAMSA (Robert A.M. Stern Architects)Ěý

Landscape Architect: Michael Vergason Landscape ArchitectsĚýĚý

Structural Engineer: SimpsonĚýGumpertzĚý& HegerĚý

MEP Engineer: Burdette, Koehler, Murphy & AssociatesĚý

Civil Engineer: Rummel, Klepper & KahlĚý

Traffic Engineering: VHBĚý

Cost Estimating:ĚýForellaĚýGroupĚý

AV/IT/Security: Convergent Technologies Design GroupĚýĚý

Code Consulting: GHDĚý

General Contractor: Clark Construction GroupĚý

Precast Subcontractor: High Concrete GroupĚý

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By Lindsey Coulter

When leaders of St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minn., first embarked on the development of the Schoenecker Center for STEAM—a new facility to house additional space for the growing School of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences—they gave the project team some guiding principles: The facility had to reflect inclusivity, innovation, adaptability and connection. It also had to be sustainable.

Balancing these priorities and incorporating the University’s values was a welcome challenge for the design team of Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA) of New York and the St. Paul office of BWBR. Together with McGough Construction of Minneapolis-St. Paul, the team celebrated the opening of the Schoenecker Center in February 2024. In its first year, the building has not only helped the University put those values into action, but it has also created a more cohesive and collaborative environment between academic programs and has earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Interdisciplinary DesignĚý

The $110 million Schoenecker Center was developed through the University’s strategic planning process, which identified the need for new spaces for arts, media, sciences and engineering—programs that rarely overlap in more traditional academic settings. However, to make better use of funds and create efficiencies, University leaders envisioned bringing these programs into one building.

“Early in design and programming, it became clear that careful space planning would be critical to the project’s success, as the University sought to weave each unique curriculum of study together to maximize learning possibilities and outcomes for every student,” said Greg Fenton, AIA, director with BWBR and principal on the project. “We led University leadership to understand what spaces would be required as a minimum for the diverse program mix to succeed since the total need exceeded the square footage that was afforded.”

Ultimately the design team delivered a five-level, 130,000-square-foot, L-shaped building that features a tall atrium space at its hinge point, vertically uniting all program spaces. The horizontal spine offers double-height spaces for study and gathering. A secondary overlay of horizontal organization in the building’s wings gives each department a home base while still encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. In total, the building includes biology, chemistry, physics and robotics labs; a two-story engineering high bay; rehearsal and performance spaces for the music program; a newsroom; art studios and an art gallery; a cafe and gathering/study spaces.

Many areas needed to be versatile to support varied uses throughout the year, so flexibility was key. Within many of the teaching labs, for example, casework and infrastructure was limited to the perimeter walls, allowing flexibility for the center of the space. The design team also worked hard to understand what was required of each area and to deliver optimized spaces through careful coordination, especially with considerations for acoustic design. The final design executed this vision in unique ways: civil engineering is next to art curation, music rehearsal is adjacent to geology, and television broadcast and sound studios were placed near material labs.

“As a person in a creative industry, it’s always interesting to me when universities, through the organization of their facilities and the adjacencies they create, provide these moments where people in different disciplines can really inspire each other,” said Melissa Del Vecchio, FAIA, partner at RAMSA.

Del Vecchio, who worked alongside RAMSA colleagues Graham Wyatt and Kasey Tilove, added that the position and orientation of the Schoenecker Center were also critical to building a literal and metaphorical bridge between the old and the new. The building’s L shape mirrors the older O’Shaughnessy Building (which also houses science programs), and the two structures were connected via a multi-level transparent bridge to create a greater sense of cohesion between the spaces.

“Often, people ask me if anything surprised me about the project when it was complete, and if anything, it’s the bridge element,” Del Vecchio said. “It helps to make those existing science buildings feel fluidly connected to the new spaces—and helps occupants of the older building feel like the amenities in the Schoenecker Center are also amenities for them.”

Intentional Interiors

To determine the building’s interior aesthetic, RAMSA and BWBR met with student groups to discuss colors, furnishings and finishes and what the students needed in their academic and study spaces. While the building houses more industrial disciplines, students advocated for soft and warm physical spaces and furnishings. As such, the interiors include bright whites balanced with warm wood tones and the school’s signature purple.

Students also asked for ample natural light and views to the outdoors, which complemented the University’s desire for visibility into academic spaces. In response, the design team incorporated transparency inside and out via ample glazing. For example, the choral performance space is completely transparent from the north to the south side of the building.

“It’s a pretty deep building, and the fact that we could get the penetration of natural light completely across the floor plate, so that wherever you are you have a really good sense of natural light and where you are relative to the exterior, was tricky,” said Del Vecchio. “We went through a lot of different options to find the combination of spaces that would allow this, and it turned out to be very effective.”

Incorporating the engineering high bay also offered an opportunity for the design team to get creative and put edu cation on display.

“(The high bay) is not the kind of asset that’s usually available to undergraduates. So, it’s a unique thing that the University is providing,” Del Vecchio said.

For maximum functionality in the highly technical space, which even includes a working bridge crane, the design team incorporated a 4-foot-thick concrete strong wall and a strong floor as well as a large bay door, ensuring the space can be accessed by concrete- and steel-delivery trucks.

However, the programs and spaces were organized in such a manner that the heavy machinery does not impact things like fluid dynamics studies in the science and engineering labs or interrupt recordings in the television studio, musical practice rooms, or other areas that require noise control and specific acoustics.

“(The project) demonstrates that with a strong vision, seemingly diverse programs can indeed be together and work together to equal more than the sum of the parts,” Fenton said.

The design team also ensured that a significant artifact—a remnant of the Interstate 35W bridge—was given a place of honor in building’s atrium. The bridge collapsed over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in 2007. Thirteen people were killed in the bridge failure, and another 145 people were injured. The engineering artifact now serves as a reminder to engineering students of their education’s critical nature in developing spaces and structures that will safeguard health and safety.

Going for the Gold

This sense of responsibility and care for community also extends to the University’s broad focus on and the definition of sustainability.

“Sustainability has become embedded within our culture across the University, and the Schoenecker Center is a prime example of our teams coming together to develop creative solutions that drive our sustainability goals forward,” said Jim Brummer, vice president for facilities management, in a statement.

To achieve LEED Gold certification, the project incorporated numerous sustainable features, including highly efficient HVAC systems, LED lights with an integrated control system and exterior lighting fixtures designed to reduce light pollution. The project also introduced a 241,000-gallon underground cistern that will collect rainwater to be reused for greywater irrigation. The cistern has already reduced the building’s outdoor water use by 100%, while low-flow fixtures have reduced indoor water use by 38%.

The well-insulated envelope and roof and a new energy-optimizing central utility plant help reduce overall energy consumption. Additionally, 76% of regularly occupied spaces offer quality views of nature. The use of durable, sustainable materials—such as terrazzo, concrete and wood—create a warm, yet industrial atmosphere while reducing the building’s environmental impact. The cumulative effect of these resource-conserving systems is expected to save the University more than $100,000 annually.

The project also received innovation credits by factoring in social equity and inclusion, as the organization of programs helps make a more diverse range of students aware of career opportunities in STEAM.

“Since the building is home to many majors, we wanted students in every program to feel welcomed, included and inspired to collaborate across disciplines,” said Fenton, who worked with BWBR colleague Brian Lapham, AIA, senior project manager on the project. “The collection of spaces demonstrates an incredible and unique University vision, allocation of precious resources, and long-term investment in not only science but also arts education.”

The facility also earned LEED points for integrating EV charging stations, using local building materials and endeavoring to reduce construction waste. The accomplishment builds on the University’s commitment to obtaining a minimum of LEED Silver certification for all new construction that exceeds 25,000 square feet. The campus is already home to the LEED certified Schoenecker Hall North and Frey Hall, and with the completion of the underconstruction Anderson Arena, the University will soon comprise nearly 1 million square feet of high-performing, LEED certified spaces.

“Pursuing sustainable building practices just makes sense for us at St. Thomas,” said John Silva, the university’s director of construction, in a statement. “Whether it’s reducing our carbon footprint, providing a better environment for staff and students, or helping reduce energy consumption and operational costs, it just makes sense—and it’s also the right thing to do.”

Designing new buildings for LEED certification is part of the University’s larger plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. Over the past decade, St. Thomas has reduced carbon emissions by 51% by implementing a variety of energy-conservation measures in new and existing buildings. In 2024, the University was also honored with its second STARS gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Project Team:

• Design Architect: RAMSA
• Architect of Record, Lab and Science Planner: BWBR Construction Manager: McGough
• Lighting Design: Buro Happold
• Landscape Architect: Damon Farber
• Engineering, Planning and Design Consultant: ESI Engineering
• Acoustic Design: Jaffe Holden
• Civil Engineer: Kimley Horn
• Structural Engineer: Palanisami & Associates
• Building Performance Consulting Engineer: RWDI
• Design Assist: Salas O’Brien
• Technology Consulting: True North Consulting

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GREENCASTLE, Ind. — For 175 years, DePauw University has offered a quality academic experience in a small-scale residential setting. The recently completed Hoover Hall fulfills a core element of the university’s Campus Master Plan, which called for the transformation of the campus core into a place of greater connection, contemplation and creativity.

Hoover Hall serves as the primary dining space for first-year students and upper-class students living in university housing. Its new 48,600-square-foot facility (as of October 2016) seats more than 600 students in the main dining room, with dozens more accommodated in an array of smaller dining rooms. Here, faculty and students have the opportunity to extend classrooms lessons over mealtime discussions.

The design team included New York-based Turner Construction and RAMSA as the architect as well as Kenny Glass, the Indiana-based distributor of Kolbe Windows & Doors. RAMSA Associate Sean Foley; Kenny Glass’ Salesman/Estimator Jason Harrison; Senior Project Manager Jerry Morris of Turner Construction; and Doug Smith, trustee and chairman of DePauw’s Buildings and Ground Committee, explained how this project was approached and accomplished.

Q: What were the major design elements involved in the project?

Foley: DePauw’s new dining hall maintains a traditional exterior, but its interior shifts from dated cafeteria lines in favor of exhibition-style cooking with a menu of foods from around the world. Designed in the Georgian style, popular between 1720 and 1830, it features steep-angled slate roofs with copper accents, hand-molded red brick, Indiana limestone and painted trim that blend with the rest of the campus.

DePauw University’s Hoover Hall is designed in a restrained Georgian style, referencing the adjacent Memorial Student Union, as well as Asbury Hall and Harrison Hall, academic buildings located to the north. It was important to carry forward this design language through the details. Important aesthetic details for the windows include simulated divided lites, decorative brick mold trims and custom color matching to the trim of the adjacent buildings. Most importantly, the windows in Hoover Hall are very large, so that the activity within the building is visible and transparent from the surrounding quad and serves to draw students into the building. Not only was Kolbe Windows & Doors able to produce both the windows and exterior doors so that both components were complementary, they were able to produce the extremely large windows that our design required.

Q: What did you learn from the project?

ĚýHarrison: The architect wanted really large windows for this project, so we got Kolbe involved. What I like about Kolbe is that they don’t say “no” right away; they look into it and see what’s possible. I really enjoyed working with Kolbe’s John Fenn and the Architectural Support team. They helped us find the right option that would meet the architect’s design. Kolbe’s team recommended a custom Ultra Series Majesta Double Hung Transom to match the look and sizes envisioned by RAMSA. Many of the windows’ frame dimensions span 85 by 118 inches.

Morris: One of the more challenging aspects for us with the windows was perfecting the curved units that flank the main entrance. On the flat sash windows, simulated divided lites were specified and worked fine. On the curved units, simulated just weren’t possible, so Kolbe was able to modify their traditional design to match the desired look.

Harrison: At first, the radius was too sharp to produce. Kolbe kept making adjustments until they arrived at the right size and curvature that met the architect’s expectations. We actually ended up making these curved, flanking windows with PDLs [performance divided lites.] They’re almost exactly like the flat sash windows. The only difference is that curved glass cannot have grilles in the airspace. It was fun to see what Kolbe can do.

Morris: Way up front, Kolbe was identified as a preferred vendor by RAMSA. Through the early discussions about the project, it was clear that they were the best choice for matching the architectural theme and needs for the building. Once the system was specified, we worked to create the detailed shop drawings and sample review to ensure the project’s constructability. It took several months to make sure each opening would be right, so that when the crew arrived on site everything would install as quickly and smoothly as possible. From the perimeter fence to the wall of the building, we only had 20 feet. Every maneuver had to be planned. Given the size of the windows and confines of the site, that effort upfront made a difference.

Q: What was unique about this project that perhapsĚýdiffered from projects that you’ve completed in the past?

Harrison: Kolbe offers several extruded aluminum brickmould options, but the architect wanted something unlike any of these and drew a custom profile. RAMSA and Kolbe were extremely detailed in working together to make changes down to 1/16 inch to perfect it. The same custom brickmould used on Hoover Hall was used next door on the Memorial Student Union Building. The Union also relied on Kolbe’s Ultra Series doors and Majesta windows to update its façade and match the new dining hall. The units not only have the same brickmould, they also have the same PDLs, glass and finish. Kolbe also prepared all the doors with EPT (electric power transfer) to assist with their automation and installation. They routed grooves in the wood before the aluminum exteriors were applied to make the electrical connections as easy as possible.

Foley: The project was designed to target a LEED Gold certification. A high-performing exterior envelope was key to achieving this.

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