Madison College wished to do more for the underserved and targeted an area of Dane County with low levels of education and income. Members of that group were invited to participate in public meetings and interviews, which eventually contributed to the creation of the Goodman South Campus. Community input was instrumental in confirming the location of the facility and the programs offered, and the resulting building interiors highlight the diversity of the surrounding community and tell the stories of the cultural groups in a variety of ways. The building was completely funded by private donors through an expansive fundraising effort, initiated to avoid the project creating a tax impact for those it sought to help.
The 76,100 sq. ft two-story skewed-L shaped building is designed around the priorities codified in Madison College’s “Pillars of Promise.”
The floorplan organizes around these ideals, grouping a café, library, gathering and collaboration areas, student services, general classrooms, and early childhood labs on the entry floor; science and computer labs in the lower level; and general classrooms, nursing labs, and staff offices on the second floor. Instructional areas feature technology, flexible furniture, room dividers, and nearby storage space to allow quick turnover from one instructor to another and helps to move the institution away from the departmental “ownership” of individual spaces. Breakout areas are provided throughout the building to encourage collaboration between of students and instructors, and circulation areas are used to highlight the stories of the neighborhood, using environmental graphics and technology to turn typically dull space into a building feature that addresses membership and environment.
The building program, parking, and street access limited site development options, and other amenities were desired to enhance the neighborhood. Above-ground bio-filters are coupled with underground bio-retention basins to accommodate storm water while allowing a large outdoor pedestrian place, outdoor classroom area, and outdoor gathering spaces.
The finished project has become a showcase building for the south side community and Madison College, and illustrates the potential of higher education and public-private partnership