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VCSU Rhoades Science Center
VCSU Rhoades Science Center
Valley City, ND, United States
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Other Projects by JLG Architects
VCSU Rhoades Science Center
Valley City, ND, United States
Framing the west side of Valley City State University’s Campus Mall, the Rhoades Science Center provides a hands-on, laboratory rich, collaborative environment in which students are active participants in the learning process. The addition and remodel of the existing Science Center includes a variety of research laboratories and spaces for interaction among faculty and students. Laboratories were relocated to the addition where rooms have greater floor-to-floor heights and the existing building was remodeled to accommodate classrooms, offices and other support spaces that do not require major mechanical services. Implementing a variety of sustainable design practices throughout the project’s interior, exterior, and landscaping was a goal from the early stages of the project and contributed to the project’s achievement of LEED Certification – a process which began after construction had already started.
The Rhoades Science Center was in need of an expansion and remodel in order to support a variety of the University’s growing programs, including the Great Plains STEM Education Center and the DCB Collaborative Nursing program. The state-of-the-art laboratories were fully integrated with technology, a necessary feature to support these programs. Achieving LEED Certification was a goal for both the university and the design team. Green qualities and sustainable practices were integrated throughout the project to help emphasize the relationship between science and energy conservation. The existing structure was also in need of updates to comply with ADA and current building codes that weren’t in place at the time of construction. Several labs had unsafe egress conditions and the original mechanical system contributed to poor air quality. The design team resolved these issues and others, including corridors which lacked fire sprinklers, narrow doors, lab benches that were too close together, and restrooms and elevators which were non-compliant.
The three-story building plus penthouse is constructed with a steel frame, 12” precast concrete hollow core plank floor system and a 3” structural concrete topping. The exterior materials match the existing Rhoades Science Center with Brown Hebron modular brick integrated with limestone accents. The exterior walls use double insulation including both rigid and closed—cell spray foam insulation. This creates an envelope with minimal thermal bridging and maximum insulation, ensuring long term energy savings. The project earned LEED Certified status by implementing sustainable practices that include using 20% regional materials, 20% recycled content materials, and 92% wood-based products originating in forests designated by the Forest Stewardship Council. Low exhaust, energy saving fume hoods were installed in the science laboratories and high-efficiency filters help reduce air pollution by a remarkable 25%. The project’s landscaping includes native grasses with a minimum of 50% ‘no mow lawn’ requiring little watering, fertilizing, and minimal weed growth. Dual-flush toilets and low-flow fixtures used in restrooms further conserve and reduce water usage by an estimated 32%, saving 72,000 gallons of
The new main entrance to the Rhoades Science Center opens up into the beautiful Campus Mall. It is defined by a projecting entrance canopy and a dramatic glass lobby. The stair tower and elevator border the entrance and are located directly off of the lobby, ensuring easy visitor orientation. The main corridor runs north and south, and is designed for a future skyway connection to McCarthy Hall. Natural light is introduced at key locations, such as at the ends of corridors and at student lounges. These student lounges are available on each floor, each with extraordinary views to the Campus Mall and Sheyenne River to the north, allowing for impromptu meetings and team collaboration. Science and research laboratories are flexible and fully equipped to support the needs of students and faculty. Windows into selected laboratory spaces, display cases and space for project display are used to encourage student engagement and reinforce the atmosphere of intellectual curiosity.
Built in 1973, the original Rhoades Science Center housed the departments of math, science, and information technology. This 26,574 square foot addition and remodel of the existing building renews the space with updated classrooms, laboratories, offices, and student collaboration spaces.
A key goal in the design was to preserve the Mall in order to maintain campus identity. By preserving the Mall the design team also preserved significant trees, maintained striking views of the river and the historic pedestrian bridge and preserved views from College Street to historic campus buildings such as McFarland Hall. The massing of the addition relates to the existing Rhoades building but also visually steps up to the taller McFarland Hall to the south and provides a visual transition between the two.
Modular laboratory planning is another key design concept within the Rhoades project and is used to allocate space in the building by establishing a grid with walls and partitions. When modifications are required because of changes in lab use, partitions and doors can be relocated and labs either expanded or contracted without requiring reconstruction of structural or mechanical elements.
The architects worked with the University to develop a pre-design plan that helped secure state funding for the $10 million project. The design team was able to shave six months off the project by completing the design and bid documents in 11 weeks, allowing the University to start construction in the fall of 2011, rather than the spring of 2012. In addition, the design team’s in-house estimating team helped bring bids in 8% below budget which allowed for significant upgrades including limestone cladding and curtain wall glazing. To the University’s delight, the renovation and addition were completed in August 2013, both ahead of schedule and under budget.
The Rhoades Science Center was in need of an expansion and remodel in order to support a variety of the University’s growing programs, including the Great Plains STEM Education Center and the DCB Collaborative Nursing program. The state-of-the-art laboratories were fully integrated with technology, a necessary feature to support these programs. Achieving LEED Certification was a goal for both the university and the design team. Green qualities and sustainable practices were integrated throughout the project to help emphasize the relationship between science and energy conservation. The existing structure was also in need of updates to comply with ADA and current building codes that weren’t in place at the time of construction. Several labs had unsafe egress conditions and the original mechanical system contributed to poor air quality. The design team resolved these issues and others, including corridors which lacked fire sprinklers, narrow doors, lab benches that were too close together, and restrooms and elevators which were non-compliant.
The three-story building plus penthouse is constructed with a steel frame, 12” precast concrete hollow core plank floor system and a 3” structural concrete topping. The exterior materials match the existing Rhoades Science Center with Brown Hebron modular brick integrated with limestone accents. The exterior walls use double insulation including both rigid and closed—cell spray foam insulation. This creates an envelope with minimal thermal bridging and maximum insulation, ensuring long term energy savings. The project earned LEED Certified status by implementing sustainable practices that include using 20% regional materials, 20% recycled content materials, and 92% wood-based products originating in forests designated by the Forest Stewardship Council. Low exhaust, energy saving fume hoods were installed in the science laboratories and high-efficiency filters help reduce air pollution by a remarkable 25%. The project’s landscaping includes native grasses with a minimum of 50% ‘no mow lawn’ requiring little watering, fertilizing, and minimal weed growth. Dual-flush toilets and low-flow fixtures used in restrooms further conserve and reduce water usage by an estimated 32%, saving 72,000 gallons of
The new main entrance to the Rhoades Science Center opens up into the beautiful Campus Mall. It is defined by a projecting entrance canopy and a dramatic glass lobby. The stair tower and elevator border the entrance and are located directly off of the lobby, ensuring easy visitor orientation. The main corridor runs north and south, and is designed for a future skyway connection to McCarthy Hall. Natural light is introduced at key locations, such as at the ends of corridors and at student lounges. These student lounges are available on each floor, each with extraordinary views to the Campus Mall and Sheyenne River to the north, allowing for impromptu meetings and team collaboration. Science and research laboratories are flexible and fully equipped to support the needs of students and faculty. Windows into selected laboratory spaces, display cases and space for project display are used to encourage student engagement and reinforce the atmosphere of intellectual curiosity.
Built in 1973, the original Rhoades Science Center housed the departments of math, science, and information technology. This 26,574 square foot addition and remodel of the existing building renews the space with updated classrooms, laboratories, offices, and student collaboration spaces.
A key goal in the design was to preserve the Mall in order to maintain campus identity. By preserving the Mall the design team also preserved significant trees, maintained striking views of the river and the historic pedestrian bridge and preserved views from College Street to historic campus buildings such as McFarland Hall. The massing of the addition relates to the existing Rhoades building but also visually steps up to the taller McFarland Hall to the south and provides a visual transition between the two.
Modular laboratory planning is another key design concept within the Rhoades project and is used to allocate space in the building by establishing a grid with walls and partitions. When modifications are required because of changes in lab use, partitions and doors can be relocated and labs either expanded or contracted without requiring reconstruction of structural or mechanical elements.
The architects worked with the University to develop a pre-design plan that helped secure state funding for the $10 million project. The design team was able to shave six months off the project by completing the design and bid documents in 11 weeks, allowing the University to start construction in the fall of 2011, rather than the spring of 2012. In addition, the design team’s in-house estimating team helped bring bids in 8% below budget which allowed for significant upgrades including limestone cladding and curtain wall glazing. To the University’s delight, the renovation and addition were completed in August 2013, both ahead of schedule and under budget.
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