The Weller Center for Business and International Studies
Central College
Pella, Iowa
Client Challenge: Design a new International Studies classroom and faculty office building that is environmentally sensitive and uses economically responsible design; create a facility that is, in itself, an educational environment that supplements classroom instruction; provide public areas for interaction between faculty and students.
SVPA Solution: A new, state-of-the-art facility with an international flair was designed using sustainable materials, daylight harvesting, photovoltaic solar cells, recycled materials and energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems. Several native wildflower lawns minimize yard maintenance and add visual appeal, and the site's existing old railroad tracks were incorporated into the interior design. Among the facility's many progressive features are commons areas and language conversation booths (which promote interaction between faculty and students) and classroom sizes that facilitate specialized instruction.
Sustainable Design Techinques:
- Sustainable materials
- Daylight harvesting
- Photovoltaic solar cells
- Recycled materials
- Energy-efficient mechanical and electrical systems
- Wildflower landscaping
Completion Date: July, 1999
Project Size: 27,500 s.f.
Type of Delivery: Negotiated Contract
Work Team:
- Vitus Bering, AIA
- Kent Zarley, ASLA
- KJWW Engineering Consultants
- Reigstad & Associates
- Neumann Brothers
Became an SVPA client in: 1961