Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Point Loma Nazarene University: Sator Hall and Latter Hall

  • 03/01/16
Point Loma Nazarene University: Sator Hall and Latter Hall

PHOTOS ON THE LEFT © MARCUS EMERSON | PHOTOS ON THE RIGHT AND BELOW © CARRIER JOHNSON + CULTURE

Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) in San Diego, CA, is home to a new 36,000-squarefoot science center. The innovative design by Carrier Johnson + CULTURE, marked by a curving environmental screen and its prominent coastal site, becomes a memorable home for the university’s rapidly growing and acclaimed interdisciplinary science program, unifying modern Christian values with a broad curriculum and state-of-theart technology, laboratories and classrooms.

Known as Sator Hall and Latter Hall, the science complex is significant both architecturally and academically.

The project team designed the new facility to connect to the existing Rohr Science building in a future phase. The completed science complex is relatively simple: Two walls and a roof of concrete frame a cube of crystalline glass. Subtly consecrating its Christian foundations in a salient design feature, a long arc of a perforated metal wall spans the length the new building. The vertical panels protect the floor-to-ceiling glass classrooms and labs from the southerly sun’s glare and heat. Illuminated from behind at night, the wall radiates the light of scientific inquiry and discovery.

In between the new and old science centers is an outdoor classroom, ideal for reliably temperate San Diego. Below the four classrooms are 13 advanced labs for biology, chemistry and anatomy, serving PLNU’s mission to spark scientific discovery and the spirit of service.

Initial feedback from students and faculty has been overwhelmingly positive. Since the 1970s, the university has been planning a major science center, and in the intervening time has earned a strong national reputation for science and STEM education. Since 2004, over 90 percent of PLNU students applying for admission to medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy and veterinary schools have been admitted. Recently it earned six-figure grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund undergraduate scholarships in STEM disciplines for students with minors in computational science.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Construction Begins on 100+ Acre K–12 Campus Designed for Lakota Culture

    The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) and the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School District in Eagle Butte, S.D., recently broke ground on a new K–12 campus that will cover more than 100 acres and serve students and families across 1,600 square miles, according to a news release.

  • Wold Architects & Engineers Announces Acquisition of JJCA

    Wold Architects & Engineers, based in Minneapolis, Minn., recently announced that it has acquired JJCA, an architecture firm based in Nashville, Tenn., according to a press release. JJCA specializes in healthcare and education design; the partnership allows both firms to expand their presence across the country while building on existing strengths.

  • California District Opens New Robotics Center

    The Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) in Cupertino, Calif., recently held a Grand Opening ceremony for a new, district-wide Robotics Center, according to a news release. The 14,500-square-foot facility was designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA); Landmark Constructors served as the builder and Blach Construction as general construction manager.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.