Oechsle Center for Global Education – Opened for Spring Semester 2015
The Center that will house International Affairs, Area Studies and the department of Anthropology and Sociology is designed with long-term sustainability in mind.
OCGE features regionally sourced and environmentally friendly materials. Reducing energy consumption was a priority in the design of the building by utilizing pre-heating & cooling sequences, radiant in-slab heating systems and many other energy efficient systems such as LED lighting. Low flow fixtures that meet or exceed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) requirements reduce water usage.
Repurposed wood from around the world is combined to create architectural focal points throughout the building. The wood representing the North American continent came from the English Elm that once graced our Quad.
Adaptability and Flexibility for Student-Centered Learning. The multi-purpose room has been designed to be a flexible, technology rich teaching and collaboration space that will support student centered learning and inquiry base instruction. The Resource Center provides two collaboration hubs with flat panel monitors and multiple inputs to allow for small group collaboration.
The conference room has been designed to support video conferencing and will offer a large 70-inch display. Remote conferencing is accommodated through Skype, GTM, etc. A 60-seat lecture hall offers dual screens, projectors and whiteboards. Each classroom is provided with a smart podium with a computer, DVD player and document camera. The smart podia have touch panel controls that operate all equipment, lighting and shades.
Opportunities for collaboration and interaction are provided throughout the building with whiteboards, a movable glass wall in the multi-purpose room on the first floor can be opened to facilitate interactive activities and connect with the lobby spaces, furniture and connectivity that accommodate group work and support mobile technology.
The combined first floor spaces can accommodate an event up to 125 people.
The Oechsle Center for Global Education (CGE) is sited along South College Drive at the base of the hill to the south of Pardee Hall, and near Simon Center. The proposed project involves construction of a three story building containing classrooms, seminar rooms, a resource center, offices and support spaces. The building will contain “smart” learning spaces that provide cutting-edge display, conferencing and communication tools. Architecturally, the spaces are organized around a central open lobby to create a vibrant circulation and gathering space. The OCGE will house the Department of Anthropology and Sociology, International Affairs, Area Studies offices (African, Asian, Latin American, Russian and East European, etc.). The building was completed in the Winter of 2014 and is expected to open for the Spring semester of 2015.
