Architecture, construction science students to present designs for new HSC campus Dec. 4

(COLLEGE STATION, TX) — Seven teams of Texas A&M University architectural design and construction science students will present their research, design concepts and models for a new sustainable, green campus for the Texas A&M Health Science Center on Monday, Dec. 4.

Presentations will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Joe H. Reynolds Medical Building on the Texas A&M University campus. Assisted by 16 construction science students, 16 architectural design students will present their concepts to HSC faculty and staff. The students have worked in seven teams since Sept. 20.

The HSC was formed in 1999 through consolidation of a majority of A&M System health-related programs. Since then, the Bryan-College Station components – the HSC-College of Medicine, HSC-School of Rural Public Health and central administration – have occupied several areas in these cities.

However, with the planned expansion of HSC-COM from 80 to 200 medical students and proposed development of a nursing program, it has become necessary to identify additional space to house the HSC and its programs. Such a move will enhance the visibility and accessibility of the HSC and allow for long-term growth, HSC officials said.

Nancy Dickey, M.D., President of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs for the Texas A&M System; Chris Colenda, M.D., M.P.H., Jean and Thomas McMullin Dean of the HSC-COM; Chuck Sanders, M.D., Associate Professor in the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Humanities in Medicine; and other faculty briefed the Texas A&M Architecture for Health Design Studio and their professors on the HSC’s needs at the Sept. 20 project kickoff conference.

The project scope included comprehending major trends in medical education, research and practice; determining immediate and long-range space and parking needs over five-, 10-, 15-, 25- and 50-year periods; determining criteria for site selection (i.e., size, access and location) for a site able to accommodate growth over many years; and creating a campus plan focusing on indoor and outdoor areas that facilitates interaction and creates a collaborative atmosphere among students, faculty and researchers.

Specific facilities for Phase I of the project are health professions education, biomedical research and simulation buildings.

HSC faculty and staff returned to the Texas A&M College of Architecture on Oct. 25 for a project update. The seven teams of students stressed a campus master plan that is developed in phases and allows for growth over the next 50 years.

Each team also developed its own phased program and campus design concepts for outdoor spaces, building and parking, which led to determination of the total site area required. However, specific sites were not selected.

Collaborating co-project directors are Professor George J. Mann, A.I.A., Skaggs-Sprague Endowed Chair of Health Facilities Design at the Texas A&M College of Architecture; Joseph J. McGraw, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M; and Charles Graham, Ph.D., Mitchell Endowed Professor and Interim Head of the Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M.

While this collaboration of the HSC and the Texas A&M College of Architecture is unique, project officials said, the two entities have a long-term relationship and joined together on previous efforts.

The architecture-for-health program in the Texas A&M College of Architecture was founded in 1966 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Faculty and students have undertaken more than 500 health-related projects on a national and international level since 1966. Graduates of this unique program lead architecture-for-health companies worldwide.

Founded in 1977, the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine is committed to educating, training and equipping physicians who are compassionate about their patients and dedicated to the communities in which they serve. Located on the Texas A&M University campus and at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, the college consists of approximately 700 basic scientists and clinicians who instruct students during the course of their medical education. The HSC-COM’s primary clinical affiliate, Scott & White, is ranked as one of the top 15 teaching hospitals in the nation.

The Texas A&M Health Science Center provides the state with health education, outreach and research. Its six components located in communities throughout Texas are Baylor College of Dentistry, the College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, and the School of Rural Public Health.