Facility Focus: WSU's Woolsey Hall Shapes Next Generation of Business Leaders

  • 10/12/23

Courtesy of Gensler

Home of The Barton School of Business, Woolsey Hall at Wichita State University (WSU) bridges the traditional academic campus with a newer complex of makerspaces, labs, and research facilities. Merging the interior with the exterior, the design exudes connectivity and cohesion, pulling campus paths through the building, and providing new gathering spaces for students from all departments.

The Barton School’s aim is to prepare students for future jobs through professional, real-world learning experiences, giving extra support to WSU’s notable percentage of first-generation students. With areas for collaboration, focus, and outdoor space, the design of the building reflects a sophisticated workplace, nodding to the aspirations of those working towards degrees in business.


Photos credit:©Jason O'Rear | Designed by Gensler in collaboration with GastingerWalker&

Materials celebrate the contrast of industry and nature. An outer zinc shell with interlocking panels wraps the building, inspired by the forms and textures of the aerospace industry, an integral part of the Wichita economy. An inner layer of wood wraps the façade and interior atrium, welcoming students and visitors into the school while expressing the golden color and texture of surrounding wheat fields.

Positioned at the edge of a lake, the building’s location and its organic form create an impactful juxtaposition to the modular, geometric housing facility nearby. A bridge serves as a literal and metaphorical path over the water. It symbolizes a student's journey from student to professional punctuated by a space to take in the view and celebrate academic milestones.

Featured

  • Three U.S. Universities Install Acre Security Access Control Platform

    Cloud-native physical and digital security solutions company Acre Security recently announced that it has deployed its access control platform at three major universities in the U.S., according to a news release. Acre partnered with Atrium Campus to provide coverage for more than 69,000 students at the University of Virginia (UVA), George Mason University, and Rockhurst University.

  • cutaway view of a modern school building, showing various rooms and zones

    Layering AI into HVAC Systems Shows Reduction in Carbon Emissions

    Heating and cooling systems are just one of the many new ways that AI can be integrated into schools. According to a new study from Schneider Electric's Sustainability Research Institute, AI-powered HVAC systems in schools can lead to significant carbon emissions savings.

  • Texas District Finishes Construction on New Middle School, Admin Building

    The Westwood Independent School District recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Westwood Middle School and Administration Building in Palestine, Texas, according to a news release. The campus covers 106,000 square feet and has the capacity for 650 students in grades 6–8, and it will also play home to the district’s staff and administration.

  • Designing Learning Spaces that Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

    In today’s education landscape, schools are more than just centers for learning; they are integral to the holistic development and well-being of students. The global pandemic underscored the importance of addressing mental health in schools, as productivity dropped, stress levels rose and students faced challenges managing emotions.

Digital Edition