Science Center

Science Center

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Project Description

Project Description
Background
Program Determination
Site Analysis
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design
Technology
Timeline and Scope
Comments and Feedback

Project Description

The existing Science and Technology (ST) complex, constructed in 1965, has exceeded life cycle requirements and is no longer able to support the instructional science program needs for the institution. The Occupational Education Building (OEB), constructed in 1969 is of similar vintage as the ST complex and is also in a similar state of disrepair. The lack of adequate science labs and classrooms is further aggravated by the increasing FTE demands from a rapidly expanding community population base. A request for state funds to proceed into a pre-design stage for this project was approved in 2001 and a Science Pre-design Team comprised of GRCC instructors, administrative staff, and facilities personnel along with a consultant team from S.M. Stemper Architects determined the scope, program, and budget for a new Science Center.

In the 2003 – 2005 biennium, the college was funded to undertake the design process. To insure that instructional needs are incorporated into the design, a Science Center Design Team was formed. This team will facilitate the design process, frequently engaging faculty from the Science and Health Science, Family Studies Divisions for input.

A new facility will allow the college to accommodate increasing enrollment pressure and provide accredited science programs needed to keep GRCC current with industry and marketplace demand. Given the poor condition of the existing facilities, there will be definite operational cost savings with the construction of a new facility that meets current energy standards through the use of energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems. The new facility will afford the opportunity to centralize the college’s ‘wet lab’ science programs, to include chemistry, physics, astronomy, life sciences, geology, and health sciences within one facility.

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Background
The 1999 Community College Facility Condition Survey identified an extensive number of deficiencies in the existing Science and Technology (ST) complex, such that it has one of the worst condition ratings in the state college system. The ST complex has second story faculty offices with no lift devices available for disabled faculty or students who need access to their instructors. The Conditions Survey also graded OEB as one of the worst conditions on campus. The lack of access and facilities for the disabled within the current facilities are not acceptable for the college’s standards and are in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Subsequently, a Community College Capital Review Panel determined that the existing facilities are not a viable candidate for cost effective renovation. The recommendation was based on the severity of life-safety, access, mechanical and electrical infrastructure conditions and program issues. The recommendation was that a replacement facility meeting today’s codes and standards be constructed to address the accelerating science and health science program needs at the GRCC campus.

Equally important as the condition of the existing facilities is the need to provide space for current and future science and health science disciplines, current and future. In order to respond to the enrollment demands for programs such as Physical and Occupational Therapy and Nursing, there will need to be a significant increase in the associated life science programs at the college. Instruction in the science disciplines requires specifically designed spaces that are not interchangeable and cannot be accommodated in other facilities. The uniqueness of the program needs are reflected in the certification requirements of the Washington State Hospital Association which mandates larger and better equipped facilities to operate Practical Nursing and Certified Nursing Assistant programs. These requirements are specifically expressed in the needs for separate nursing computer labs with instructor computer setup stations, larger Nursing Skills Labs, designated lecture rooms and utility storage areas. Additionally, the college is obligated to meet the requirements for higher-level transfer programs such as Organic Chemistry to meet its accreditation standards.

The Worker Retraining program at Green River is mobilizing to address the current unemployment situation in the Puget Sound area, which is above the national average. With over 30,000 Boeing employees facing permanent termination by July 2002 along with the subsequent ‘spin-off’ job losses, the enrollment demands at the college are expected to reach unprecedented levels in the upcoming years. The need for additional space for training programs in the science and high technology areas is exacerbated by the emphasis being placed on the health and computer science professions by the Worker Retraining programs in the Puget Sound region. This need will be addressed through the proposed space increase in the new Science Center to accommodate expanded technical health care programs such as nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and water quality programs that require the wet lab science facilities. The proposed Science Center facility is part of the economic solution in the Puget Sound area.

The current facilities are not able to accommodate existing demand for accredited science and health science programs because they are in poor condition and because there simply is not a sufficient amount of space. The college needs twice as much teaching and lab space as is currently available in order to provide the classes that are demanded by the students and current markets. With this new facility the college will be able to provide modern science lab facilities and classes that are applicable in current and future science professions.

The proposed new facility is not only identified in the College's 10-year plan and included in the current master plan, but it also is a key element in the College's master facilities plan. The Pre-design Study outlines the need for this facility and set parameters for its program design, budget, and schedule.

A further step has been taken in the master planning process with the executive approval of the site location. A major institutional master planning decision was made to locate this facility on the athletic field  between the existing ST and SMT buildings. The utility infrastructure is directly available at the site and concurrent site development for both facilities offers a number of cost and development advantages. Additionally, the programs that are planned in these facilities are well situated for related studies and faculty/staff support in the adjacent SMT building. Another advantage to this location includes the reutilization of existing developed acreage, supporting the College's goal of preserving the natural campus environment and incorporating achievable elements of sustainable design.

The major disadvantage of utilizing this site for the new Technology Center and a future Science Center is the loss of the athletic field. Replacing the track function and playing field will be aggressively addressed in the developing master plan through future campus design options.

Aspects studied during the pre-design process consisted of the following:

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Program Determination
A thorough investigation was conducted of current industry standards for the science and health science program needed in higher education facilities. Existing and future programs necessary to keep up with new technology and the demand for new skills guided the design requirements for the new facility.

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Site Analysis
The proposed site was analyzed for appropriate design recommendations, site limitations and requirements, and utility requirements. This analysis included location of the building for optimum access for people as well as for environmental conditions. New paths, plazas, and landscaping will be created to facilitate access to the new building. No new parking is anticipated as this is project will be a replacement facility.

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Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design
GRCC is blessed with a beautiful natural setting and a statement was made in sustainable design along with the assumed energy conservation features it should achieve. A key component for the pre-design study was to define sustainable design concepts that are appropriate for this project. This effort included exploring the possibilities for natural day lighting, native landscaping, natural ventilation, and energy efficient mechanical systems. An energy efficiency life cycle cost analysis was provided to ensure that long range cost benefits are considered.

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Technology
Information technology and telecommunications demand state-of-the-art design considerations. The pre-design will determine the type of support services that will be required for current and potential future needs of the new facility. With the chosen site adjacent to the new Technology Center, the two facilities will work together to provide efficient use of space and access to web based information sources. The college’s mission also strives to increase the opportunities for distance learning and the new Science Center would work to increase these available resources.

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Timeline and Scope
For an up-to-date timeline and scope for this project, please refer to the most recent Progress Report.

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Comments and Feedback
You may submit your questions regarding this project by sending an e-mail to Sam Ball.

Our project team will review questions asked and submit replies to the inquirer.

In an effort to keep you informed as the plans and progress of the project, this website will be periodically updated.

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