Reinventing Teaching Laboratories at Community Colleges

Toni Loicano, AIA, and Rich Corona, P.E., LEED^® AP, DSA Architects, a Member of SHW Group

In the era of tuition increases and government funding decreases, the demand on community colleges to augment their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculums has never been higher. The competition to attract students and faculty has moved from competing with other community colleges to competing with universities. Coupled with the pressure to increase the number of graduates in health sciences, general science, engineering technology, and mathematics, these colleges are looking for any advantage that capitalizes on flexibility, research, collaboration, and cost efficiency.

The presentation will look at examples of community college teaching laboratory projects that utilize the following:

• Laboratories and Sustainability
  • Utilize the concept of sustainability holistically in laboratories, balancing initial costs and life cycle costs.
  • Efficient laboratory planning: addressing "real" needs and providing future expansion.
  • Daylighting in laboratories and classrooms.
  • Careful material selection.
  • Integral energy-efficient mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design.
  • Addressing the exterior landscape as a sustainable, renewable laboratory.
• Laboratory Renovation
  • Cost efficiency in laboratory design and planning.
  • Reuse and flexibility of existing laboratory facility.
• Laboratory Planning
  • Science on display—Unique aesthetics that showcase laboratories.
  • Architectural design reflecting the integration of laboratory, classrooms, and collaborative space, enhancing the learning environment and facilitating constructivist curriculum.

Biographies:

Toni Loiacano has planned and programmed many higher education facilities. Her current programming projects include science laboratories at: College of Education and Human Sciences; Central Michigan University Science Center; North Central Michigan College School of Engineering; Midwestern State University Center for Excellence in Bioengineering and Life Sciences; Kettering University Southeast Expansion; Tarrant County Community College District University Center; Lansing Community College Biomedical Technology Center; Schoolcraft College Center for Health Professions; Jackson Community College Academic Building Addition/Renovation; and Bryn Mawr College.

Rich Corona has nearly 20 years experience in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems design for higher education facilities. His experience includes all phases, from conceptual design through commissioning and post occupancy evaluation, to ensure all facilities systems are functioning as intended. Mr. Corona's current projects include work at Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Cranbrook Educational Community, and North Central Michigan College.

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