Learning Resources

Michigan Technological University used active stakeholder engagement, frequent reviews, and vigorous discussion to develop its aspirational master plan.

From Volume 51 Number 3 | April–June 2023

Abstract: Profound technological changes are occurring today, and universities need to prepare our students to work and live in this new world. Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) is addressing the future of technology in society, academia, and the campus through our Tech Forward Strategic Plan, a bold enrollment and retention initiative, an aggressive capital campaign, and a dynamic hiring initiative. Our aspirational campus master plan, developed in partnership with SmithGroup, an integrated design firm, integrates and supports these initiatives and goals. Active stakeholder engagement, frequent reviews, and vigorous discussion allowed us to craft a campus master plan aligning strategic, physical, and capital planning that supports and drives the university’s 2035 Vision.

Institutions Mentioned: Michigan Technological University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Campus Master Planning, Community Engagement, Engaging Stakeholders, Facilities Assessment, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Innovation Center, Laboratory Facility, Landscape / Open Space, Placemaking, Public-Private Partnerships (P3), Science / Engineering Facility, Space Assessment, Student Housing

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Smart Building, Smart Campus

By: Angela Foss, Autodesk (previously of Southern New Hampshire University)

This is a SCUP Fellow Research Project Final Report for the 2019–2020 program. This report explores the hypothesis that user-centered design would better address STEM student needs and could increase the likelihood of a broader adoption of remote labs.

Abstract: “Will innovative environments like a smart building expand STEM education and reach more underrepresented groups? If technology can support remote work, then why haven’t the previous proofs of concept become fully adopted?” The author pursued these questions through her SCUP Fellows research, exploring the hypothesis that user-centered design would better address STEM student needs and could increase the likelihood of a broader adoption of remote labs. Although the COVID-19 pandemic required a hard pivot in her research plan, she was able to leverage the world's new focus on remote activities and work with students to design a prototype mobile application for a digital, interactive twin of a STEM building on campus.

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Scaling Active Learning Classrooms

Adopt 11 Best Practices to Transform Existing Spaces to Support Student Success

By: Sharon Beaudry, JD, SPHR

A large-scale study uncovered factors that led to successful scaling of active learning spaces and pedagogical approaches in colleges and universities.

From Volume 50 Number 3 | April–June 2022

Abstract: Active learning has been a growing trend in higher education for decades based on its positive impact on student learning and success. Colleges and universities have invested resources into expanding this teaching approach by using active learning classrooms (ALCs). But why have some institutions been successful at rapidly growing their ALCs and learning spaces, while others have struggled? This article, focusing on the higher education arena, summarizes the best practices from a large-scale study that uncovered factors that led to successful scaling of learning spaces and pedagogical approaches in colleges and universities.

Institutions Mentioned: Oregon Institute of Technology
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Active Learning Environments, Alignment, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Laboratory Facility, Learning Environments, Original Research, Science / Engineering Facility, Teaching and Learning

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 12, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Campus Tour | University of Hawaii at Manoa

By: Jan Gouveia, University of Hawai‘i | Seth Siaki, University of Hawai‘i | Ryan Sullivan, G70 | Glen Berry, HERA Laboratory Planners | Seth Goodnight, Layton Construction

This tour will showcase the University of Hawaii’s flagship campus and the unique challenges the university faces with regard to long-term planning, campus redevelopment, and designing in a tropical environment.

Abstract: This tour will showcase the University of Hawaii’s flagship campus and the unique challenges the university faces with regard to long-term planning, campus redevelopment, and designing in a tropical environment. The tour will then focus on the university’s new Life Sciences Building, which consolidated various departments in aging facilities into new state-of-art teaching and research laboratories. This building was one of the first major design-build projects on campus. We will discuss the challenges that were encountered and how each was solved.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Design-Build, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Laboratory Facility, Learning Environments, Science / Engineering Facility, SCUP 2021 Annual Conference

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Webinar Recordings

Published
April 20, 2021

A Different Kind of SMART

Using Performance-Oriented Metrics to Redefine Success in a Forward-Focused Research Lab

By: Carlos Perez Rubio, AIA, LEED AP, HERA laboratory planners | Sarah T. Smith, NCARB, LEED GA, Auburn University | Clay Stafford, HERA laboratory planners

In this presentation, we discuss how to identify and select appropriate metrics—equally focused on education and research—for evaluating “SMART” research laboratories.

Abstract: “SMART” built environments usually refer to buildings with embedded technologies that allow them to run as efficiently as possible. Yet for research institutions, that definition should be expanded beyond efficiency to include metrics that are used to quantify research productivity and accomplishments. The expected useful life of the building and individual labs, research dollars generated per square foot, intellectual property generated, and successful recruitment and retainment of researchers are but a few bottom line-oriented measures that colleges and universities use. By embracing the business side of higher education, architects can create even smarter built environments.

In this presentation, we discuss how to identify and select appropriate metrics for institutions that are equally focused on education and research. What objective and subjective measures can be considered? Are these metrics applicable in our new (hopefully) post-COVID reality? How are institutions reallocating space in this new reality? How do we redefine the future of “smart” higher education research facilities?

Institutions Mentioned: Auburn University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Planning, Laboratory Facility, Learning Environments, Selecting Metrics, Space Assessment

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Example Plans

Published
November 2, 2020

Supporting Document

Private Doctoral/Research University (Maryland, United States)

This document represents recommended guidelines for a gradual, phased reactivation of research activities at the university.

Resource Types: Supporting Document
Tags: COVID-19, Laboratory Facility, Operational Planning

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Conference Recordings

Published
October 20, 2020

2020 North Central Regional Conference | October 2020

Using Metrics to Maximize the UW-Platteville Engineering Facility

By: Maura Donnelly, Senior Architect, University of Wisconsin System Administration | Molly Gribb, Dean, College of Engineering, Mathematics & Science, University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Kate Herbolsheimer, Principal Planner, Education, HDR, Inc. | Stephanie McDaniel, Principal, BWBR Architects, Inc.

We’ll discuss how we leveraged metrics and space utilization studies to achieve a unifying one-building solution for all engineering programs at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville rather than the original master plan vision for three buildings.

Abstract: Through the use of real-time data, institutions can overcome budgetary constraints for capital projects by maximizing space utilization through shared resource planning and optimization. We’ll discuss how we leveraged metrics and space utilization studies to achieve a unifying one-building solution for all engineering programs at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville rather than the original master plan vision for three buildings. Come learn how data-informed decision making can help you lead a collaborative planning process at your institution to develop multidisciplinary solutions that overcome limited capital dollars.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Planning, Laboratory Facility, Learning Environments, Science / Engineering Facility, SCUP 2020 North Central Regional Conference, Space Management

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Webinar Recordings

Published
June 10, 2020

REWORK

A Safe Return to Research Laboratories

By: Moderator: Karen Lu, President, AIA Minnesota and Senior Associate, Snow Kreilich Architects | Speakers: Anna Pravinata, President-Elect, AIA Minnesota, and Principal, Alliiance; Mary Jo Spector, Director of Research Facilities Design, Construction, and Maintenance, Florida State University; Scott DeBlaze, Executive Director, Assistant Dean, Space Planning, Real Estate Management and Architectural Services, University of Chicago Medical Center & Biological Sciences Division, Pritzker School of Medicine

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for laboratory environments. Labs were shut down in a matter of days to follow the “stay-at-home” order. As we look forward to the reopening of labs post-COVID-19, this webinar will provide some considerations that will guide the creation of a safe and healthy lab environment as well as discussions on real challenges from universities’ perspectives.

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for laboratory environments. Labs were shut down in a matter of days to follow the “stay-at-home” order. As some states announce reopening plans, this will allow researchers whose work requires physical presence to advance research goals or grant requirements to reopen their labs.

Institutions Mentioned: Florida State University, University of Chicago
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: COVID-19, Laboratory Facility, Response Planning

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Planning Types

Challenges