Story

The Conway School of Nursing and Campus Gateway at the Catholic University of America (CUA) is a state-of-the-art nursing education facility that spans 102,000 square feet. The facility boasts multifunctional clinical learning spaces and instructional support areas, and is equipped with simulation labs for both acute care and clinical examination training, specialized classrooms, laboratories, an auditorium, study areas, administrative offices, and communal areas. The University Gateway project encompasses a newly redesigned main entrance to the campus, accentuated by a fountain. The building structure spans four floors, each featuring a blend of public and private spaces. The first floor houses laboratories designed for microbiology, anatomy, and physiology classes, in addition to an immersive virtual reality classroom. The second floor features a simulation suite designed to replicate hospital rooms, replete with patient beds, a headwall unit with compressed air, and hospital-grade finishes. A similar simulation suite, modeled as an emergency room, is situated on the third floor. Both the second and third floors include technologically advanced classroom spaces and faculty offices. The design of the project effectively incorporates precast stone/panels, aluminum-framed windows, and a clay tile roof, reflecting the historic gothic elements of the existing campus. Salvaged stone from Philadelphia’s Church of the Transfiguration, constructed in 1924, was used to create the facade. Some of the inlaid stones weigh over 40,000 pounds. Prefabricated window units were custom-designed to complement the gothic design of the building. The building's interior also features high-end finishes such as terrazzo floors, interior glass storefronts, and a decorative atrium stair at the entryway. Despite some pricing escalation for certain materials, the team successfully met Catholic University’s budget goals for the project. Coordination of the precast facade began almost 6 months prior to the GMP for the project and due to the high level of its complexity, required almost eight months of weekly coordination meetings led by Clark and attended by the trades, architects, structural engineers and University project management teams. These meetings ultimately led to a successful relationship and project execution. The project, which was completed in late 2023, is expected to double the enrollment for the nationally ranked nursing program. Following the furnishing of the building in Spring 2024, the nursing school faculty and staff will move-in and commence training on of all the state-of-the-art technology. This will ensure that the facility is fully prepared to welcome nursing students in the Fall of 2024. The new facility is expected to achieve LEED Gold and WELL certification, a testament to its sustainability and wellness design standards.