Missouri State University: Davis-Harrington Welcome Center

  • 07/01/16
Missouri State University: Davis-Harrington Welcome Center

PHOTOS © ARCHITECTURAL IMAGEWORKS, LLC

In the highly competitive world of higher education, first impressions are critical. Missouri State University (MSU), in Springfield, challenged the design team of Dake Wells Architecture to develop a signature work of architecture at the university’s primary entrance along its eastern edge as a way to greet visitors to the campus, while providing a point of origin for campus tours to prospective students and parents.

Quickly recognized as an opportunity to reinforce the institutions brand image, the 13,196-gross-square-foot Davis-Harrington Welcome Center takes full advantage of its prominent site condition to tell the story of the university through subtle references embedded in the design. The university’s origin as Southwest Missouri State Teachers College, an institution for educating teachers, provides numerous references in the architecture.

From floor to ceiling, the university’s logos and school colors make it clear that visitors are in MSU bear country. The north elevation angles toward a main entry to the campus, displaying a 24-foot-tall steel bear logo that emphasizes the university’s identity.

On the exterior, limestone provides a durable and contextual surface at the ground, increasing in transparency to the north toward the entrance. Two white planes are elevated above the base defining the east and west façades, almost paper thin. A two-story curtain wall angled toward the campus entrance serves as a gesture to welcome visitors and increase the building’s transparency.

The building program is arranged in a two-story scheme, placing administrative functions on an upper level in order to increase the building’s visual presence as it reinforces the campus edge. The scheme considers a future expansion that will relocate existing admissions and registration services to this location, providing a one-stop shop for new applicants.

The program includes a large lobby, 100-seat presentation room, gallery, catering kitchen, admissions offices and support spaces.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • MiEN Releases White Paper on Community College Space Innovation

    MiEN Company recently released a new white paper called “Designing New Innovative Spaces for Community Colleges” to address the needs of community colleges post-pandemic, according to a news release. The eight-page guide by Dr. Christina Counts, MiEN Company VP of Education and Marketing, covers topics like the enrollment drop that these schools have seen since COVID-19, the roles they play in higher education and local workforces, and five suggested key changes that can improve students’ experiences.

  • Greenheck Receives Sourcewell Cooperative Contract

    Air movement, control, conditioning, and distribution equipment solutions provider Greenheck recently announced that it has been awarded a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract, according to a news release. The HVAC Systems contract will allow Greenheck the opportunity to expand opportunities in government procurement and other public agencies in North America.

  • Greenheck Launches New Series of Rooftop Units

    Air movement, control, and conditioning solutions provider Greenheck recently launched a new line of rooftop units that merge the conveniences of traditional rooftop ventilators and dedicated outdoor air systems, according to a news release. The Model RT controls temperature and humidity for indoor comfort.

  • Carnegie Grants R2 Status to East Texas A&M

    East Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas, recently announced that it has been designated a Research 2 (R2) institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, according to a news release. The R2 designation took effect on February 13.