ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE HONORED
WITH AN AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS DESIGN AWARD
Seeking LEED® EB
certification, the center was designed by DSA Architects, a member
of SHW Group
SYRACUSE, NY – November 7, 2007 –
Onondaga Community College’s new One-Stop Student Services Center
has been honored with the 2007 Design Merit Award in the
Institutional category by the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Central New York Chapter. The award recognizes design excellence for
completed architecture of all types of buildings, including urban
design, restoration, preservation, institutional and the adaptive
re-use of older structures.
The One-Stop Student Services Center was
also recently recognized by the American Society of Interior
Designers, Upstate Chapter, with a “2007 Design Excellence Award.”
The project is currently undergoing certification for LEED-EB
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing
Buildings).
The college, located in Syracuse, New
York, was designed and planned by Berkley, Michigan-based DSA
Architects, a member of SHW Group, one of the nation’s largest
educational architecture firms. DSA/SHW also partnered with
Manlius, New York-based King & King Architects, which assisted with
construction documentation and administration services.
Onondaga Community College’s new
One-Stop Student Services Center provides a reengineered student
service layout consolidating 14 departments in one convenient
location, where students find the offices for registration,
financial aid, housing and community organizations, among others.
This “student-centric-focused” design enhances the student
experience while allowing for high-tech interaction and operational
savings.
“Our goal was to provide a streamlined,
student-focused service experience for students, and that starts
with understanding the college, its goals, its operations and
students it serves,” said Janice Suchan of DSA Architects, a member
of SHW Group. “Onondaga students now have a clear welcoming
information destination, where they can easily find all of the
services they need on a regular basis.”
Working under the philosophy that there
are ‘no wrong doors’ for students seeking services, the One-Stop
Center provides conveniences such as the Call Center, Help Center,
Testing Center, consultation rooms, multi-purpose room and gallery
spaces. An information desk at the center greets students and
provides a first point of contact for students of all ages and
diverse backgrounds. Nearby, an Information and Resource area,
equipped with more than 20 computer kiosks, further enhances a
student’s ability to receive first-class educational support.
About SHW Group
Founded in 1945, SHW Group is an
architectural firm specializing in learning environments where ideas
are sparked, minds are engaged and future leaders are inspired.
SHW’s work spans the globe with projects in 23 states and three
countries. We believe educators have the power to change the world
through each student they impact. Our mission is to make significant
and lasting contributions to communities by creating efficient
learning environments that maximize potential and inspire
excellence. For more information, please visit
www.shwgroup.com
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