Page 22 - College Planning & Management, June 2019

CONNECTING TO CAMPUS
MAKING A STATEMENT. A new combined Visitor & Undergraduate Admissions Center for Virginia Tech is seen as a gateway to the campus, a signature building which serves as an information hub and welcoming focal point for the academic community.
Consider Long-Term Performance
Long-term performance and mainte- nance of surfaces and design elements is another key factor for consideration in high- traffic areas, especially for walls. Cleaning
is a top priority when selecting wall design and coverings. Wood trim or paneling is
a wise choice in high-traffic areas, such as entry ways, lobbies, reception areas, and some hallways. These wood features add an elegant touch to a space and signify a certain gravitas. As a bonus, wood trim and panel- ing are easy to clean and very durable.
Higher-performance paint is a good op- tion for interior spaces in popular buildings that receive a lot of traffic. Paint technology continues to improve and newer perfor- mance paint can be scrubbed repeatedly without losing its color or luster and some
also resist scuffing and marring entirely. Paint also offers a nice opportunity to help set the mood in a building or reinforce a school’s branding. Plus, it’s relatively easy to update when changes are needed.
Some colleges and universities may consider vinyl wall coverings as a highly durable option. Their appeal from a mainte- nance standpoint should be tempered with a slightly higher initial cost. They do, however, offer a wide range of aesthetic choices and visual appeal often well suited for high- traffic or high-visual-impact areas.
Create Wow Factors, but Be Thoughtful
When reviewing long-term perfor- mance goals for interior features and elements, don’t forget about the little things. There have been many occasions where a building’s design, whether for renovation or new construction, include “wow” features or stunning fixtures, but analysis of long-term maintenance was overlooked. For example, how exactly do you plan to change light bulbs on a massive chandelier in a two- or three-story space? Would you need to bring in a cherry picker or other large machine? If that fixture
is in a high-traffic area, there could be significant disruption to visitors. Ongo- ing maintenance of that fixture would be especially challenging in a facility such as an admissions center, which is widely
used all year. These types of questions are good to consider early in the design phase, especially for high-traffic areas.
Christopher Newport University offers a good example of a thoughtful, but impact- ful “wow” feature. As the school designed and built Christopher Newport Hall—a facility intended to anchor the campus that included a welcome center, admissions and career development spaces, and executive- level administrative offices—it understood this would be among the most popular buildings on campus. Thus, a number of “wow” features were incorporated, such
as a glass floor, which filters light from the building’s impressive dome and can be switched electrically from transparent to translucent for privacy. This floor allows for versatile uses and long-term durability.
Paying close attention to the details, including the small ones, matter when designing and maintaining facilities on college and university campuses. This approach is especially true for those high- traffic facilities that play a crucial role in defining a school’s identity. CPM
Lori Garrett, FAIA, is a senior principal and vice president at Glavé & Holmes Architecture in Richmond, VA. As direc-
tor of the firm’s Higher Education Studio, Lori oversees the design direction of higher education projects. She can be contacted at LGarrett@glaveandholmes.com. Jessica Ritter, CID, IIDA, LEED-AP, is a senior associate and director of Interior Design at Glavé & Holmes Architecture. She oversees interior design for a variety of project types firm-wide. She can be contacted at JRitter@ glaveandholmes.com.
22 COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / JUNE 2019
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PHOTO © VIRGINIA HAMRICK
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