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New Science Building Opens on Clayton State Campus

MORROW, Ga. — The new 58,610-square-foot, $18 million Science Building at Clayton State University has reached final completion and is ready to welcome students. The new facility is intended to provide Clayton State with additional space for required laboratory classes. Construction began on the project in November 2013.

The energy efficient Science Building, constructed by McCarthy Building Companies of Atlanta, will provide the school with ample new high-tech instruction and research space critical for the Natural Sciences Department, as the university has grown from 4,675 students in 2001 to more than 7,200 students today, according to a statement by project architect The S/L/A/M Collaborative Inc. (SLAM) of Atlanta. Thus far, university officials have been required to use waiting lists for lab courses due to the high demand from students and the low inventory of available lab classrooms.

With the addition of the new three-story Science Building, Clayton State can now offer 19 instructional labs, nine research labs, two new 64-seat classrooms and two new 36-seat classrooms. The building also houses offices and support spaces, a vivarium, mechanical penthouse, mechanical basement and a loading dock. It is designed as a modern home for the sciences complete with stacked biology and chemistry suites which integrate research, prep and teaching labs, according to SLAM.

Located near a small pond on the hilly campus, the new Science Building takes advantage of its natural setting, absorbing daylight from across the water via glazed areas in the public spaces. Sustainable initiatives include sun shading, daylight harvesting, and use of recycled materials and rainwater.

Reflective of its goal to promote scientific innovation and education, the Science Building was also designed to achieve Georgia Peach Green Building certification. This certification recognizes facilities owned or managed by the State of Georgia that optimize energy performance, increase the demand for local materials and furnishings, improve environmental quality, conserve energy, protect Georgia’s natural resources and reduce the burden on the state’s water supply, according to a statement by McCarthy.

“Engaging undergraduate students in research is an essential part of their preparation for careers in the natural sciences and health sciences,” said Dr. Tim Hynes, president of Clayton State University, in a statement. “The innovative laboratory teaching spaces in this building will expand our support of undergraduate research projects where faculty and students work side-by-side in the learning and exploration process. Providing these opportunities not only benefit those in our science majors, they also impact allied health students and every student on campus who takes a lab science course for their core requirements.”

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Flexible Learning Spaces Foster Project-based Learning

Peoria, Ariz. — When the vision for Sunset Heights Elementary in the Peoria Unified School District began to take shape, it was clear the school would be different. The administration’s goal was to support, inspire and motivate students as they acquire knowledge and master skills as part of a community of learners. To help accomplish that goal, the district, teachers and community embraced a new school design centered on flexible learning spaces.
This alternative design enables teachers to focus on project-based learning in flex spaces that feature retractable walls to expand space, glass walls and windows to let light in, and desks and chairs with wheels so students and teachers can easily move them around based on the educational activity.
”Teachers are able to configure the learning environment in their classroom based on the lesson design for that class period,” said Dr. Heather Cruz, deputy superintendent of the Peoria Unified School District. “Having furniture that is conducive to movement allows teachers and students to change the classroom configuration very quickly and efficiently.”
Flexible learning areas provide fluid spaces that encourage creative and critical thinking and free students to communicate clearly and openly about the task at hand. Students are able to work as a large group, in smaller subsets or independently, and spaces were created for each type of learning.
Educational researchers know learning is most effective when an appropriate blend of pedagogical strategies is incorporated. This most certainly applies to school design, which is why Sunset Heights embraces traditional classroom space but also incorporates flexible learning spaces.
Attracting more students
Designed by EMC2 of Mesa, Ariz. and constructed by St. Louis-headquartered McCarthy Building Companies, Sunset Heights opened in fall 2014 on time and on budget with nearly 150 more students than the 700 originally expected.
The campus features a two-story, 76,500-square-foot classroom building for PK-8 students, a media center, two STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) labs, a joint courtyard, baseball field, softball field, two regulation-size basketball courts, two grade-specific play areas and a solar-power-generating canopy that shades the play area. The campus also includes a 20,000-square-foot multipurpose building consisting of a cafeteria, kitchen, full gym and locker room, as well as band, choir and general music rooms. The cafeteria and gym can be divided into two functional spaces with a soundproof wall or opened up into one massive space for special occasions.
Natural lighting is another key component of this school’s design and is displayed most dramatically in the media center, which features floor-to-ceiling windows with a sweeping view of the community and mountains. It is also visible throughout the campus’ hallways and in every classroom.
Built with community support
The $16.5 million project was completed with bond approval from voters in 2002 and 2005. The school was built to ease crowding at three nearby elementary schools in the Peoria Unified School District and from the beginning community input was prioritized. The school name was selected in a social media contest and, ultimately, a district bus driver submitted the winning name. The district also held a contest to choose a mascot (the Lion Cubs) and select school colors, navy blue and orange. The Lion Cubs mascot was selected because Sunset Heights is a feeder school for the Liberty Lions High School.
Justin Dent is a project director with McCarthy Building Companies and Dr. Heather Cruz is the deputy superintendent with Peoria Unified School District.

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Jaime Garrido

School News — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:58:16 +0000

McCarthy Building Companies named Jaime Garrido as director of client services for its New Mexico office. Garrido previously served as the company’s director of education services, focusing primarily on the higher education and K-12 sectors. Over the past two years, Garrido has helped the company secure more than $84 million in education projects in Arizona and New Mexico.

Garrido has also served as associate dean of administrative services at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, where he oversaw facilities planning and development, physical plant operations, risk and resource management and campus safety.

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