Southeast Community College Academic Excellence Center

This project was selected as a Merit winner in ARCHITECT's 2023 Architecture & Interiors Awards, Architecture: Institutional category.

“Taking what I’m sure was a challenging budget and elevating the community college experience to this level is very impressive.” — Juror Susan T. Rodriguez, FAIA

Visually inspired by the agrarian vernacular of its Beatrice, Neb., locale, the 52,000-square-foot Academic Excellence Center for Southeast Community College stems from the institution’s desire to enhance student experience on campus by providing a welcoming, light-filled place to study and learn, converse and commune with peers, and interact with faculty through both formal and spontaneous meetings. Building community for its academic population is a major goal for the college, and the center is a step in a larger expansion plan to achieve it.

Designed in a partnership between Kansas City, Mo.–based Multistudio and Omaha-based BVH Architecture, the three-story structure is programmatically driven and consists of classrooms, laboratories, and multipurpose spaces. Thus, the design centers around the building’s main circulation, a glass curtain wall–enclosed communal spine that spans the center’s length and provides ample opportunities for social interactions, whether between classes or at campus gatherings. Decorated with movable furniture and brightly daylit, this wide passage also creates informal study areas.

From the outside, a scrim wall superstructure fronts this transparent architectural element, creating a space for exterior circulation between the two and a dramatic façade effect that references metal grain silos and light filtering through a barn’s wooden slats. It also helps offset glare and heat gain, reducing the building’s overall energy use.

PROJECT CREDITS
Project: Southeast Community College Academic Excellence Center, Beatrice, Neb.
Client/Owner: Southeast Community College
Architects: Multistudio (design lead) and BVH Architecture (associate architect and design partner). Kelly Dreyer, AIA; CJ Armstrong; Pennie Liu; Jackie Bacon (Multistudio). Bryan Solko, AIA (architect/associate principal); Tristan Vetter, AIA (architect/associate); Kat Pickering (BVH Architecture)
Mechanical Engineer: Morrissey Engineering
Structural Engineer: Olsson
Electrical Engineer: Morrissey Engineering
Civil Engineer: Olsson
Construction Manager: @ Risk Delivery Fast-Track
Construction Manager : Hausmann Construction
Lighting Designer: Morrissey Engineering
Any other consultants, with their roles:
Size: 55,000 square feet
Cost: $16,000,000

MATERIALS AND SOURCES
Acoustical System: Vulcraft acoustical cellular decking, K-13 (International Cellouse Corporation), Fellert (acoustical plaster)
Adhesives, Coatings and Sealants: BASF, Pecora, Isolatek (fireproofing)
Bathroom Fixtures: General Partitions, Moen, American Standard, Bobrick
Carpet: Shaw
Cabinets: C&H Cabinets and Countertops Inc, Crete NE. (fabricator/installer); Formica (laminate).
Ceilings: Armstrong
Concrete: Stephens & Smith
Countertops: Corian, Trueform Concrete
Curtain Wall: Kawneer, TGP (fire rated)
Storefronts: Kawneer
Exterior Wall Systems: Rieder (GFRC rainscreen), Knight Wall (Rainscreen attachment), Centria (rooftop screen wall).
Fabrics and Finishes: maharam, Waltalkers, Daltile
Flooring: Johnsonite
Glass: Viracon
Gypsum: National Gypsum
HVAC: Trane/Mitsubishi (DOAS, VRF).
Insulation: Rmax
Lighting: LumenWerx, Forum, Inter-Lux, Coronet, Amerlux
Metal: Nebraska Sign, Lincoln NE (Aluminum blades for scrim)
Paints and Finishes: Sherwin Williams
Roofing: Carlisle
Structural System: 4G Steel Fabrication (Lincoln, NE), Vulcraft (decking), Schroeder (steel erection, Kearney NE)
Windows and Doors: VT Industries (wood doors). Draper (Motorized shades).
Laboratory fume hoods: Labconco
Laboratory casework: Institutional Casework INC.
Elevator: Kone
Cubicle Tracks: Inpro
Medical Service Headwalls: Modular Services Company