Russ Engineering Center - Wright State University
Masonry Home > Application: Educational Institutions > Russ Engineering Center
Masonry—Trusted Material
for a High-Tech Facility
The
Russ Engineering Center at Wright State University was a
special project from the beginning. Wright State University is dedicated
to providing a quality engineering education to the 1,800 students
enrolled in the College. Dean James E. Brandeberry, Ph.D., P.E.,
challenged his staff and the architects with programming and designing
a facility to "set the University's academic agenda for the
next decade." The firm, Levin Porter Associates, designed the
175,000 square foot facility.
This $20 million building is named in honor of Systems Research
Laboratories Inc. founder, retired President and Chairman of the
Board, Dr. Fritz Russ, and his wife Dolores. Occupied in the fall
of 1992, the Center serves as the primary site for teaching and
research activities of the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
It provides 63 laboratories for under-graduate and graduate education
and research. It also provides office and/or work space for over
65 faculty and 342 full-time graduate students, as well as state-of-the-art
laboratory and classroom space.
The plan is organized around a four-story atrium which, in
addition to providing an abundance of natural light deep within
the structure, serves as a visual focus and provides a sense of
orientation for the visitor at each level. Specially designed lighting
and strips of neon frame the balconies of the atrium at each level,
allowing it to perform a similar function for the many students
and visitors who participate in the continuing education classes
and programs offered at night. At the ground level it serves as
a student seating area, exhibition space, circulation space and
lobby for the four major first floor continuing education classrooms.
Glass block dividers in the atrium separate functions without visually
interrupting the space. The atrium also serves as access to the
lecture rooms, student lounge, and the college and departmental
offices, faculty offices, laboratories, computer rooms and classrooms
which are placed around the atrium on the second, third, and fourth
floors.
High-bay, flexible-use laboratories housing the manufacturing sciences,
mechanical engineering and robotics laboratories were enclosed with
full height masonry partitions because of its excellent acoustical
qualities. The design of the interior spaces, and the extensive
use of painted masonry provides easily maintained surfaces and reflects
the high-tech nature of the engineering and research function of
the facility.
The exterior of the facility was designed as a high-tech industrial/academic
facility in context with the surrounding campus architecture, and
yet in conformance with the university standards for construction
materials.
The use of brick, stone and bronze glass visually integrates
the facility with the campus. The placement of the cast stone accents,
the use of glass block and the use of the white nylon coated railings
to obscure the rooftop HVAC equipment, provide texture and liveliness
to the exterior. The use of energy efficient glass block in stairways
results in light, open and safe vertical circulation paths. In addition
to providing the desired visual integration with the campus, selection
of masonry veneer as the exterior curtain wall assured a durable,
economical and timeless addition to the campus.
Student, faculty and community response to this center for engineering
studies and research has been one of great pride.
Architect:
Levin Porter Associates, Inc., Dayton, Ohio
|
 |
Other Applications:
Residential
Educational Institutions
Public Buildings
|