Energy modeling was used to guide decision-making and optimize performance through the implementation of high-efficiency HVAC equipment and a high-performance building envelope. The new and existing building envelope includes high R-value insulation. The high-performing HVAC filtration systems combined with access to outdoor social spaces increases the air quality and comfort of the space.
The focus on designing sustainably provided the opportunity to combine new and evolving programmatic elements with forward-thinking architectural concepts. This innovative and sustainable approach to design earned the project LEED Gold status, the first academic building on Loyola’s main Evergreen campus (one of three campuses) to receive this certification.
The Front Porch
The Miguel B. Fernandez Family Center for Innovation and Collaboration serves not only as the physical gateway to campus but also the link to the community. Located on Cold Spring Lane, the addition metaphorically serves as a welcoming “front porch” between campus and community. To ensure the building responded to its contextual environment, it was important to evaluate exterior materials.
Stone was chosen to be sympathetic to the Beatty Hall stone and relate to the adjacent Donnelly Science Center while the window frame colors relate to other window frame systems on campus. The glass exterior served multiple purposes. The glass on the south side of the building, facing Cold Spring Lane, is as clear as possible to increase daylight and views. On the north side, where the building faces Beatty Hall, glass has more reflective properties so Beatty Hall would be seen in the reflection of the addition. When looking at the Fernandez center from the campus quad, it does not appear like a glass box but rather pays homage to Beatty Hall and the historic campus.
The interior concept for the center connects to the campus’ natural landscape through the color palette and organic textures, reflects the collegiate community through transparency into and within the building, and encourages discovery through the layering of interior spaces and materials, as well as orientation to daylight and views. The interior design constantly converses with the form and materials of the exterior; they are visually connected via large planes of glass. The materials and finishes for the building’s interior started first with understanding the visual weight, color and texture of the exterior Beatty Hall wall that now anchors the center of the building and the interior circulation.
The new Miguel B. Fernandez Family Center for Innovation and Collaboration and renovated Beatty Hall transformed the campus into a contemporary hub that strengthens Loyola’s active engagement and focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and design thinking. With this type of innovative renovation, you have the ability to not only create a beautiful space, but also the opportunity to transform and foster community.
PHOTOS: Anton Grassl unless otherwise noted
Retrofit Team
Architect: Shepley Bulfinch
General Contractor: Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.
MEP Engineer: Mueller Associates
Structural Engineer: Hope Furrer Associates
Civil Engineer: Whitney Bailey Cox & Magnani
Sustainability Consultant: Thornton Tomasetti
Landscape Architect: Hord Coplan Macht
Materials
Linear Lights and Pendants: Axis Lighting
Pendant, Meeting Rooms: Fluxwerx
Decorative Lighting, Café: Rich Brilliant Willing
Low-VOC Paint: Sherwin-Williams
Carpet Tile: Interface
Wood Slat Ceiling: Certainteed
Stone-look Floor Tile: Creative Materials Corp.
Wool-felt Panels: FilzFelt
Glazing: Kawneer
Insulation: ROXUL from ROCKWOOL