Redefining Higher Education Practices, a SCUP Presentation

Submitted by David Martin, Design Leader (London, UK)


This week at the Society for College and University Planners (SCUP) conference in National Harbor, MD, Stantec and Stanford University are hosting a presentation that explores how the process of realizing university education and research projects is changing, and how design approaches can and must transform in response to these rapidly evolving times.

Two projects are being featured in this presentation, and I wanted to share some background information with folks who might attend the talk—and anyone else who might be interested!

The Lab Exemplar is an in-depth exploration of net zero research laboratory design. As research laboratories continue to pose a significant challenge to campus carbon emission initiatives, we undertook to investigate what a carbon neutral research facility—possessing truly exemplar teaching and research environments for the future—would look like, and then mainstream these design innovations into our work on behalf of our clients. Read the full story here.

The new Centre for Brain Health at the University of British Columbia will create a centre of excel-lence focused on translational research and patient centered care, aimed at the prevention, understanding the causes, and treating the consequences of brain dysfunction.

The building’s design enhances and facilitates translational medicine through dedicated research and support spaces that are fully integrated into the design of the clinical spaces. Features include larger exam rooms and larger work spaces which allow faculty members to lead instruction during clinical activities, and dedicated office and support spaces for integrated clinical research activities.

Careful consideration of the laboratory’s circulation system, interaction nodes, and organization in relation to clinical areas was a key design principle in promoting the level of collaboration between academic and clinical research teams required to support the institution’s translational research agenda. State-of-the-art research environments are embedded above the clinical areas of the campus, and an interior atrium with break-out areas provides collaboration zones. Strategic coordination of entrances, elevators and offices with the surrounding campus components integrates the research environments.

Fostering interaction across disciplinary lines and the creation of the resulting synergies is a key goal, integral to the success of the new centre. The program is meant to provide the spatial infrastructure to inspire and encourage high levels of collaboration which yield unforeseen advances in brain health.

If I don’t see you at the presentation, I look forward to your comments below.