Fitchburg State University-The Antonucci Science Complex

Client

Fitchburg State University

Location

Fitchburg, MA

Stats

105K

SF

LEED

Silver Certified

The goals for the new Fitchburg State University’s new Antonucci Science Complex were to create updated science facilities that would promote cross-disciplinary education and a centralized place for students to easily access classroom and lab space in a single location. The resulting design fosters collaborative learning among multiple disciplines, changing the nature of previous science studies from an isolated individual endeavor to a more discovery-based, team-learning environment. In addition, the design makes the sciences visible to the entire campus community by incorporating social interaction and display spaces including windows into teaching and lab spaces to create visual transparency.

This integrated plan is connected to the existing Sanders building and forms a new interior corner of a major campus quad that also serves as the main entry to the new science facility. Marked by a glassy three story atrium that visually connects all levels of the complex, this new hub provides informal gathering spaces, connections to visual displays, space for presentations, and makes connections to an outdoor plaza/open space.