Testing, Tutoring, and Career Center

Richmond Road, Highland Hills, OH, United States

Add To Collection

Testing, Tutoring, and Career Center

Richmond Road, Highland Hills, OH, United States

Firm

Type

Educational › Elementary School University

YEAR

2009

SIZE

10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft

BUDGET

$500K - 1M

The Testing, Tutoring and Career Center is located within the existing
Student Services Building at Cuyahoga Community College’s Eastern
Campus. The Center is the first component in the completion of a
consolidated Student Services Center known as a “One Stop Shop” which
seeks to streamline the processes of student enrollment, financial aid,
counseling and tutoring support, and career services.The program called for co-locating the student service departments
once dispersed throughout the campus. Divisions between departments
were to be maintained, but blended spatially, in an attempt to ease the
often cumbersome student service experience. A variety of office,
conference, storage, multipurpose seminar, and lounge spaces are
incorporated in the project. In addition to the complexity of the program, the site selected
within the Student Services Building provided additional challenges.
The “L” shape plan directly connected to the main entrance of the
campus lacked the visual or spatial continuity desired in the program.
Thus, the constant flow of pedestrian traffic through the space
dictated that the new design have a legible and distinguishing image
within the context of the existing architecture in order to catch the
attention of new and current students requiring assistance.The architecture is organized by a single white surface which moves
between disparate programmatic zones transforming the interstitial
circulation into a seamless public space. Localized articulations
defined by site constraints and programmatic elements create a variety
of spatial effects in the otherwise continuous envelope. Undulations in
the surface capture the maximum sectional space within the limits of
the existing building structure and mechanical systems. Lounge spaces
are defined by a series of integral benches which fold from the surface.Additionally, interior partitions are strategically removed or
dematerialized with glass walls to create expansive views through
spaces providing a literal visual connection between programs.
Materials and surfaces throughout are festooned with patterns that
enhance the sense of movement in the space.

2010 National Merit Award Antron Design to Perform Award2009 Merit Award, American Institute of Architects, Ohio Chapter2009 Merit Award, American Institute of Architects, Cleveland Chapter