Project Description
The project is comprised of The Seafirst Executive Education Center, which includes the T. Douglas Executive Forum, the Boeing Auditorium, and the Albert O. & Evelyn Foster Business Administration Library expanding the existing facilities by 56,000 gsf.
The building design features two components: an underground structure containing the library and auditorium, and a three-story pavilion housing the executive education center. The roof of the underground structure is a terraced landscaped open space combining plantings, paved areas and seatwalls which provides the school with its own outdoor meeting and activity space for the undergraduate, graduate and executive education programs. At the center of the underground structure is a skylight, 80 feet in length, which brings natural light into the double-height reading room of the library below. The library also features the media work stations, a Nexis laboratory, a periodical reading area, a faculty and Ph.D. research room and administrative offices. A second mezzanine level also overlooking the skylight space contains additional reading areas and group study rooms. The library shares a central lobby space with the 130 seat case study auditorium and also links to the new building with the adjacent existing Business School buildings.
Above the auditorium is the story brick pavilion that contains the executive education center. The first level is a reception area and administrative offices. On the second floor are two large 50-seat executive conference/seminar rooms arranged with case study tables and breakout spaces. Additional breakout rooms are also located on this floor. The top floor of the tower, with views onto the terraced landscaped structure below as well as the campus beyond, is the T. Douglas Executive Forum. The forum is a large multi-purpose room designed with wood paneling, a fireplace and an adjacent food service pantry for catering events. There is a lounge area and breakout conference rooms as well.
The new building supports a fully integrated computer network throughout, including the case study tables in the executive education center, the conference/seminar rooms and the 130 seat auditorium. Case study tables have been designed to provide each student with the ability to connect with the school or campus network. Each library carrel and table has been equipped with power and data outlets. In addition, group study rooms, offices and the multipurpose rooms provide students and faculty members the ability to access technology. The infrastructure of these rooms will accommodate a combination of both portable and fixed audio-visual systems, teleconferencing and video conferencing systems.
In association with Mahlum & Nordfors McKinley Gordon
