In 2006, the administration of Butler Community College determined it was time to act on their Andover Campus Master Plan and build student amenities to further the college experience for their full- and part-time students. BCC and Gravity::Works Architecture conducted student surveys on the Andover campus during classes to determine what amenities students thought were important; over 80 percent of suggestions made were incorporated into the new student gathering area.
We joined two existing classroom buildings on the campus to create the spaces students believed they lacked: a cyber café with full wireless connectivity, student lounge and study areas, social gathering areas of various sizes and student-use computer labs. Brick masonry and site-cast concrete unite the two buildings.
Giving the College more office space, group meeting spaces and private conference spaces, the project features mezzanine lounges, eating areas with stained-concrete floors and steel columnar “trees” that hold skylights flooding the interior spaces with warm, natural light. That natural light also falls into adjoining classrooms designed with windows that overlook student areas.
Other interior finishes inside the soaring, two-and-one-half-story space include brick masonry, decking, painted drywall, stained concrete floors and carpeting.
With our long-standing history, they have managed both small and large projects for us, have been very attentive to budget considerations and expectations and have been great partners. They are simply a friendly and fun team with which to work!”
, President, Butler Community College
