Marshall University’s new School of Pharmacy opened in August 2012. The challenge was to create a state-of-the-art pharmacy program within an existing 1980’s era classroom building. Our firm was the lead architect on the project and we partnered with S/L/A/M Collaborative in Connecticut for programming and schematic design. The design team provided facility assessment, programming and full design services including interior design & furnishings. The result is an extensive transformation of the first two floors of the four-floor, 69,000 sf building. The lack of access to daylight demanded a new interior environment with a sense of openness in large, flowing spaces that are warm and welcoming. Floors are organized with the primary social/community areas at the heart of the plan. Glass interior walls provide transparency from the public spaces into classrooms, labs, and skills areas to enhance the sense of community. Strategic use of technology throughout the building creates connectivity and community for students and faculty. Team-teaching areas, classrooms and common areas all have technology-embedded walls to support the School of Pharmacy’s active learning educational model.
“…speaking for the faculty, staff and students we are very proud of the dynamic educational and research environment… At the end of our first semester with the inaugural class, all of us are enthusiastic about the positive outcomes that are being realized in these new spaces.”
–Dr. Kevin Yingling, Dean, School of Pharmacy, Marshall University