Photo courtesy of Cambridge Seven Associates Inc., Robert Benson Photography

Providing much-needed new teaching and research space for Bowdoin's Department of Psychology, Kanbar Hall accommodates Bowdoin's growing teaching and research program in neuroscience, cognition, development processes and social interaction. In addition to classroom, neuroscience and observation laboratories, and faculty research rooms, the building forms new synergies with other programs on campus that also had space needs: the Baldwin Center for Learning and Teaching, the Writing Project, and the Quantitative Skills Center; a home-base cluster for the Education Department; a computer lab; and additional classroom space. The various programs in the building share classroom and seminar spaces as well as various library, lounge, and meeting areas to foster flexibility, connectivity, and interaction among programs.

The entry lobby, accessed from two sides of the building, provides a generous area for congregating. The first level contains space for the computer lab, a classroom, a seminar room, the Learning Center, and the Education Department.

The seminar room, with patio access, can be configured into a small classroom or larger board room. The seminar room and the classroom both have access to overhead digital projection controlled through wall-accessed smart panels. Continuous perimeter molding provides access to power and data.

Open 24/7, the computer lab features 12, two-person workstations that face an instructor's station and projection surface. As in the classroom, power and data are fed from the perimeter. A portion of the lab is arranged in classroom-style. Another area of the lab contains café-style computer tables for team work or after-hours individual work.

The Learning Center, which houses the Baldwin Center, the Writing Project, and the Quantitative Skills Center, offers counseling, tutoring, mentor programs, group study sessions, untimed testing, and other support services. The space features a central work table and storage, library shelving, a seminar meeting room, testing spaces, offices, and a large casual seating and study area.

The Psychology Department occupies levels two and three, which provides necessary light and acoustic control and privacy for some functions of the department. Observation rooms, private research labs, and office space for Psychology faculty are on the upper floors. Levels two and three also contain an audio lab, a cognitive testing room, and three group activity rooms. The basement houses a research lab, a wet teaching lab, and animal testing and care facilities for mice and fish.

The lobby on level two is an oversized space with casual seating. The space features a reading room and houses the Psychology Department library. The same space on level three serves as a lounge and waiting area. Level three also features a balcony overlook to level two. The stairwell is wrapped in glass to increase awareness of who might be up and around, and the elevator lobby for levels two and three is two stories high, linking the two faculty floors.

A suite of four offices open onto a small waiting area with seating, which is open to the hall. Two offices are on the exterior wall with windows, and two interior offices are available for research work.

Kanbar Hall exemplifies the trend toward more student-centered educations with labs, classrooms, faculty offices, and public spaces that create ample opportunity for student-faculty interaction. Using a lot of natural light and glass, warm woods, and upholstery and carpets with color, Kanbar Hall provides an open, comfortable environment that brings together a diverse set of departments.

Project Information
Building Owner:		Bowdoin College
Building Location:		Brunswick, Maine UNITED STATES
Project Type:		New Construction
Principal Building Function:		Teaching and research building
Project Delivery Method:		General Contractor
Project Timeline		May 2002 Planning Start Jul 2002 Design Start Jun 2002 Construction Start Sep 2004 Completion Last known status: Completed
Construction Cost:		$8,750,000
Cost Per Sq. Ft:		$250
		About These Cost Figures
Building Information
Project Includes:		Atrium Auditorium Education Education: Computer Lab Education: Lecture Or Seminar Hall Education: Library Education: Student Center Healthcare: Psychiatric Laboratory Library Office
Total GSF:		26,000
Project Team
Architect		Cambridge Seven Associates Inc.
Consultant - Accoustical		Acentech Incorporated
Engineer - MEP		Vanderweil Engineers
Engineer - Structural		Hawksworth Bibb
Landscape Architect		Carol R. Johnson & Associates
Supplier - Elevators		Otis Elevator
Supplier - Flooring		Azrock Commercial Flooring
Supplier - HVAC		York International
Supplier - Laboratory Furniture		Kewaunee Scientific Corporation
Profile Created 01/01/2006
Last Updated 04/28/2006
About the Reported Cost Figures The cost figures reported are supplied by the firms that submitted these projects for publication, which in most cases are the designers or builders. Whereas these sources are intimately familiar with their projects, they may not be fully aware of the owners' finally-realized and recorded costs. In some cases, costs are truly and completely accounted for, and in others they represent a near approximation of the final costs. Costs have not been adjusted for year of construction, nor has any attempt been made to make regional cost adjustments. Further, costs are not comparable on any kind of detailed standard costing model. Hence, it is possible for the cost of one building to include a steam boiler, while the cost of a comparable building might not include the boiler, if steam is being supplied from an already existing campus grid. Or, in another case, a building might include excess boiler capacity to supply steam to another building. Some submittals include fees or unusual site improvements as part of the construction costs, which others do not.

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