The S/L/A/M Collaborative

Maker spaces, active learning labs, and multidisciplinary collaboration spaces have become essential elements for educational engineering facilities nationwide, as academic institutions respond to the demands of modern industry. In addition to providing the robust infrastructure and fabrication tools engineering students need to develop practical skills, another important element of these space types is an emphasis on teamwork, entrepreneurship, and commercial viability. This means positioning maker and capstone project spaces in close proximity to meeting rooms, support spaces, and team collaboration zones. High-profile maker spaces also serve to help institutions increase industry partnership opportunities as well as student and faculty recruitment.

The University of Iowa opened the $96.3 million College of Pharmacy in January of 2020 in Iowa City. Designed by OPN Architects and The S/L/A/M Collaborative, the 228,371-sf facility features a pharmacy practice simulation center, 23 instructional spaces, 16 flexible research labs, collaboration areas, and a 128-seat lecture hall for team-based learning. The structure stands six stories above grade, with a lower level housing two sterile production lines, a warehouse, and a vault to store controlled substances.

Sacred Heart University will begin construction in summer of 2020 on a $60 million hockey and skating complex in Fairfield, Conn. Designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative and JLG Architects, the project will include an expansive ice arena capable of accommodating 4,000 spectators. The multifunctional facility will also be used to host special events such as guest lectures, concerts, and convocations.

Stonehill College dedicated the $35 million Leo J. Meehan School of Business in October of 2019 in Easton, Mass. Designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative, the three-story, 63,450-sf facility features adaptive classrooms, collaboration spaces, simulated trading rooms, and business innovation studios with integrated maker spaces.

Augusta University broke ground in August of 2019 on the $70 million College of Science and Mathematics in Augusta, Ga. Designed by The S/L/A/M Collaborative, the 125,000-sf facility will provide teaching and research labs, offices, conference rooms, breakout spaces, student gathering and study areas, and a tutorial center. The interdisciplinary building is strategically sited on Augusta's Health Sciences Campus to provide opportunities for undergraduate research and promote collaboration.