College of Engineering, Technology and Aeronautics (CETA) Building

Honor

Aug 15

Written By bonnie kastel

Honor Award // Excellence in Architecture Design

Architect // HGA

GC // Skansa

MEP/FP Engineer // Chris Shumway

Structural Engineer // Simon Design Engineers

Civil/Survey Engineer // TF Moran

Cost Estimating // Skanska

Lighting // HLB Lighting

Landscape Architect // Studio 2112

Building Envelope // Building Envelope Technology

Sustainability // The Green Engineer

Interiors // MoharDesign

Audio and Visual Consultant // Cavanaugh Tocci

Description

HGA designed The College of Engineering, Technology, and Aeronautics (CETA) building at Southern New Hampshire University to provide students with a place to design, experiment, and mentor one another, while paying homage to the rural landscape and vernacular architecture of the area. The 67,000SF building was design edas two barn volumes connected with a two-story lobby, overlooking the Merrimack River. It was designed with a new quad space at the heart of the campus to invite students in and highlight the University’s commitment to STEM disciplines. The spaces inside has CDIO(Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) hubs where students take projects from conception through operation. These hubs are based on the pedagogical goals of hands-on, project-based discovery. As universities re-imagine education delivery, CETA is a platform for the continuous exploration of multi-modal education, making STEM accessible to every learner.

Jury Comments

In the last of the selected projects, we have yet another dramatic campus transformation project. Jury members appreciated how this project connected to the campus fabric – an inviting form opens and welcomes in the campus context while framing yet another open inviting living room. Interior spaces varied from loftiness to having an abundance of nooks and crannies. The exterior design was one of the strongest, original use of materials the jury observed from the submissions in this category. While a number of submissions were observed offering a dash or two of inspiration from gabled barn-like structures and the modern farmhouse aesthetic, CETA’s exteriors pay homage to context in a way that was distinctively original and iconic. The chosen exterior cladding material honors natural surroundings, materially unifying roof and walls tonally and strengthening the overall massing. Rather than reflecting the often ubiquitous presence of red brick, the pivot to slate compliments its surroundings in a way the jury felt was truly a breath of fresh air and would withstand the test of time. From the project description:

“The building is inclusive to the entire community and gives a sense of safety, particularly to students that have been denied access to STEM education.”

The jury agrees and recognizes College of Engineering, Technology, and Aeronautics (CETA) Building with a Honor Award.