Turning Space and Climate Challenge into Opportunity through Reuse and Renovation at Canisius College Science Hall

Punit Jain, Cannon Design
Scott Chadwick, Canisius College

Institutions looking to build and grow at this time face unique challenges. The current economic climate leaves them with limited space and resources. At the same time, they are more inclined than ever to grow in an environmentally responsible manner. Fortunately, the best way to manage these challenges is to adopt the principles of reuse and understand that operational cost challenges in an ever-increasing utility cost environment lend themselves to conservation strategies.

Canisius College in Buffalo, New York faced these challenges when they sought to consolidate its currently scattered science program and introduce multidisciplinary collaboration among the sciences, promote undergraduate research, and increase enrollment by attracting talented faculty and students. The college also required that any attempts to achieve this put a premium on environmental responsibility. To achieve these goals, the college purchased an old, empty 250,000-square-foot (sq. ft.), four-story Sears store for the science hall. This presented an incredible opportunity. Within the space, the design will be efficient, integrated, and environmentally responsible—it is pursuing LEED® 2009 certification. By focusing on design themes of flexibility, modularity, and sharing resources while managing schedules, Canisius will be able to grow at a lower cost and in new ways that were not originally considered. Places for informal interaction including a cafe and science on display throughout the complex will enhance the overall learning and teaching experience. The resulting state-of-the-art science hall will house the physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and computer science departments.

Conference attendees will be introduced to ideas in the context of this project that offer new thinking in regard to overcoming space and climate challenges while still growing an institution through efficient design. Wise investments in strategies that involve clustering, zoning, lifecycle cost-analysis, return on investment (ROI) calculations and shorter pay-back periods, and demand based energy use will allow universities to consider new avenues for growth while limiting their costs. Those who attend may be able to realize new ways to grow their institution with current resources through creative re-direction of their operating budgets.

The presentation will equip attendees with the understanding:

  • To visit their growth strategies and consider plans and ideas that they may not have pursued originally.
  • To challenge their design teams with new environmental considerations that can immediately cut costs and reduce their operation and maintenance costs.
  • To integrate best practices that have worked for other institutions facing similar challenges.

Biographies:

Punit Jain, a graduate of Washington University with a Master of Architecture and Master of Construction Management has been involved in a variety of project types and roles. He is a key member of Cannon Design's science and technology practice, with extensive experience in laboratory architecture.

Mr. Jain serves as Cannon Design's sustainable design leader, responsible for promoting high-performance design through LEED certification, conducting training for the firm's professionals, and championing sustainable design practices. Validating this commitment, Mr. Jain was appointed to the National Board of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC)—the originator of the LEED system, and widely recognized as one of the most influential institutions in the sustainable movement worldwide.

A Rotary Foundation Scholar, Mr. Jain has taught at the School of Art and Design at Maryville University and St. Louis Community College and serves as a visiting critic for the schools of architecture at Washington University and the University of Illinois at Champaign, Urbana.

Mr. Jain is a nationally recognized thought leader who regularly presents new ideas and solution that help scientific leaders, through design, to compete more effectively on a global stage. He is a frequent presenter at major industry forums including Labs21, the Sierra Club, the Missouri Biotechnology Association, AURP, as well as the USGBC, where he also served as president of its St. Louis Chapter. He most recently presented at the Labs21 2009 Annual Conference.

He was recently recognized with the Growing Green Award in the "Quietly Green" category for his dedication and commitment to sustainable design.

Scott Chadwick has served as vice president for academic affairs since July 2007. Academic affairs includes the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education and Human Services, the Wehle School of Business, enrollment management, information technology, the Bowhuis Library, institutional research, student retention, and faculty support functions. Dr. Chadwick also serves as the mission and identity officer for the college.

Dr. Chadwick earned his doctorate degree in communication studies (organizational conflict and negotiation) and has Master of Business Administration from the University of Kansas. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in business from the University of Iowa.

Prior to working at Canisius, Mr. Chadwick served as associate vice president for academic affairs and director of the Office of Academic Excellence and Assessment at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. In those roles, he was responsible for strategic planning, university-level accreditation, assurance of student learning, and faculty development. Prior to Creighton, Mr. Chadwick taught in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University (1997-2003) and in the Department of Speech Communication at Oregon State University (1994-1997). He also has an extensive record of research, publications, and grant acquisitions. Mr. Chadwick's experience in the private sector includes the positions of financial systems analyst for Sprint, Inc. (1988-1991); financial analyst for Firestone, Inc. (1987-1988) and management information system consultant for Arthur Anderson Consulting (1986-1987).