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HuntonBrady’s Iconic Design of New University of Central Florida College of Medicine Inspires From the Outside – In

 ORLANDO — When the first class of students enters the brand new College of Medicine (COM) building at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando this August, they are prepared to learn from instructors during lectures, from medical manikens in the clinical skills laboratory time, and from books during late nights in the medical library. But the new building itself has lessons to teach, says Maurizio Maso, AIA, Design Principal of HuntonBrady Architects. It was thoughtfully designed with three goals in mind: foster learning and interaction in a technologically-advanced environment, attract top faculty and establish UCF as one of the top medical schools in the country.

 Two education and health-care design architects joined forces to design the signature four-story, 170,000 sf building.  HuntonBrady Architects of Orlando and Ellenzweig Associates of Cambridge, Massachusettes, were the architect of record and design architect, respectively.. The COM is the centerpiece of the University’s new Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona, 20 miles south of the main university campus and home to UCF’s Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences. The emerging life sciences cluster at Lake Nona will soon include Nemours Children’s Hospital and a Veteran’s Administration hospital, both under construction making it a true Medical City for Orlando.

 “There were very few contextual references when we began design development of the College with COM Dean Debra German,” architect Maurizio Maso, AIA, explains. Indeed, much of the land surrounding the new medical center is still cow pasture and protected wetlands. So the architect, client and land developer Tavistock Group, held a number of design charettes or visioning sessions. The charettes resulted in a series of “design drivers” to define the building and serve as reference to the team during construction. They include:

•  Create an iconic building that represents Central Florida
• Design adaptable spaces to accommodate change
• Cultivate a sense of tradition
• Incorporate classical historical references without being literal
• Provide an interactive outdoor space for everyday use and commencement ceremonies
• Foster a collaborative environment in a friendly and collegial place
• Promote a healthy & sustainable environment
• Focus on clarity in concept and details

 The resulting concept for the new COM organizes the circular building around a dramatic exterior piazza for public interaction and gathering.  The piazza serves as counterpart to UCF’s main campus piazza and gathering space in East Orlando, allowing for similar events and traditions to take place on both sites. The piazza’s configuration provides a well contained outdoor space facing north and a reference point from any spot in building’s main circulation concourse.

Inside, the circular configuration of the interior concourse allows for visual connection from virtually all levels within the building. The architects were mindful of sustainability and designed the COM for Silver LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Green design components will result in a 64 percent reduction in water use for irrigation, a 48 percent reduction in indoor water use, and a 21 percent reduction in energy use. Other sustainable features include low-flow restroom fixtures extensive use of natural daylight, reflective roofing to reduce cooling costs, preferred parking for hybrid and fuel efficient vehicles, room occupancy sensors for lighting, native vegetation and water efficient landscaping, regional materials made with recycled content, low VOC paints, and much more.

 The COM’s classrooms and laboratories are models of innovation:

•  Anatomy is taught in a high-tech 8,100 sf lab with 22 dissection tables, two preparation rooms, cold storage, demonstration area, and space for future research. Ceiling-mounted computer monitors  adjacent to the dissection tables allow for easy access to anatomical information during dissection.
• The Clinical Skills Center provides a clinical setting for students to learn and practice essential skills. The  7,500 sf state-of-the-art teaching and assessment center features 12 examinations rooms, a consultation area, a monitoring and control room as well as training rooms for standardized patients.
• The Harriet F. Ginsburg Health Sciences Library features an open study commons area, individual study workstations, casual study areas and several problem-based learning rooms. The 12,000 sf library is framed by a south window with floor to ceiling views of environmentally protected lands.

 Dean German says it best, “I hope they (students) will be proud to hang a photo of this magnificent building in their offices as a reminder of the places that trained them to be the good doctor”.

 HuntonBrady’s educational facility designs also include Valencia Community College Culinary Arts & Conference Center, Central Florida Community College, Pasco Hernando Community College and Hillsborough Community College. It is an award-winning architecture and interior design firm that provides architecture and interior design services to public and private clients, including healthcare, education, commercial office, religious and municipal projects. Founded in 1947, the firm has won over 55 American institute of Architects design awards.

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