Story

Nevada State College Liberal Arts & Sciences Building
Henderson, NV

Statement of Design Approach:
Carpenter Sellers Architects worked closely with the Nevada State Public Works Board and Nevada State College to design the new 42,000 sf Liberal Arts & Sciences Building. As this is the first and only building on the campus at this time, it was imperative that the spatial arrangement create a campus within the building. The main public spaces act just like a campus; indoor and outdoor space flow seamlessly together and provide multiple nodes for study or social interaction. The new building was oriented to maximize its north/south exposure and was designed to fit into the desert landscape to enhance the natural surroundings instead of competing with them. A summer patio on the north side of the building provides great views of the valley and a sheltered place to sit. The southern, trio of faculty wings provide small and intimate courtyards and views with a relationship to outdoor study areas and future campus buildings. We took samples of dirt and rocks from the site and conducted extensive studies to choose a form that would sit gently on the site. Materials, exterior colors and forms were chosen to be a part of the setting, not compete with it. This first building is comprised of classrooms, labs and faculty offices. A color palette of charcoal, terra cotta and wine is bold, unexpected and youthful. Concrete floors, slate and carpeting accent the bold color choices and compliment a light filled, 2-story lobby. To break up the long corridors, the ceiling vacillates between an open, wine painted space to a drop down ceiling with light colors. This adds an industrial flair that compliments the overall look and feel of the building. In addition to architecture and interior design, we also provided FFE selection.

Sustainability:

• Solar Orientation of Building maximizes North / South Exposure
• Local Masonry Units
• Steel and metal framing with high recycled content
• Sun shades on south facing curtain wall
• Low-E glass
• Erosion and Sediment Control
• Light Pollution Reduction
• Water Efficient Landscaping
• Independent Commissioning Authority
• CFC Reduction
• Daylighting and Views
• Kimball Office Furniture (82.3% post-consumer & pre-consumer recycled content)
• Shaw carpeting throughout (EcoWorx backing; 100% sustainable, non-PVC tile backing system and cradle to cradle product lifecycle).
• LEEP Chairs (all task chairs in offices, cradle to cradle product certification. 98% recyclable by weight and made with up to 30% recycled content).
• 3form (green guard indoor air quality certified).
• 0.5gpf urinals to conserve water.
• Premium efficiency motors to conserve energy.
• Motion sensors in the classrooms and labs to conserve energy.
• A facility wide lighting control system which is tied into the building energy management system.
• Chillers and boilers with efficiencies exceeding the energy efficiency requirements of ASHRAE 90.1. CO2 control of the ventilation air flow rate to conserve energy.