Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., has held a formal dedication ceremony for the new $5.8 million James F. Will Engineering and Biomedical Sciences Hall.
The college says two-story, 11,260-square foot structure will provide state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories for human anatomy teaching in the biomedical sciences and dedicated space for the college’s engineering program.
The facility is on the northwest side of the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion. It extends the pavilion and continues the same architectural style through the use of brick veneer, cast stone banding, window detailing and a contemporary sloped metal roof.
The new building features the Liberatore Human Anatomy Laboratory with six operating stations on the first floor and an Engineering Design Laboratory on the second floor.
Other features on the first floor include the Vittone Student/Faculty Research Laboratory, the Vu-Nguyen Senior Projects Laboratory, a sterilization and prep room with walk-in cooler, two faculty offices, lab manager’s office, scrub room, two locker rooms, two restrooms and a lounge area.
Engineering facilities on the second floor include The Stephans Computer Modeling Laboratory, Kennametal Foundation Conference Room and Library, interdisciplinary classroom, three faculty offices, two restrooms and the “Yodel Lounge.”
The human anatomy laboratory provides cutting-edge, high-tech facilities for anatomical research. The ultramodern laboratory is designed as a flexible space that can accommodate up to six surgical stations in a simulated operating room environment. The lab features advanced audio and video capabilities, including a teaching station equipped with cameras and monitors to enhance instruction.
Support facilities for the human anatomy laboratory include a technologically equipped conference room, a lab preparation space, a refrigerated storage area and spacious locker and changing rooms.
As part of the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion, the new hall builds upon the environmental sustainability standards of that LEED Gold-certified structure. It will share a geothermal heating and cooling system and LED lighting within an energy-efficient building environment.
“The flexibility that was designed into this new building is its most important characteristic,” says Dr. Caryl L. Fish, associate professor of chemistry and chair of the interdisciplinary science. “It will enable us to incorporate whatever new technology makes possible.”
The general architect for the project is MacLachlan, Cornelius and Filoni; the general contractor is Jendoco, and the engineering consultant is H.F. Lenz Co.
