“Programming Completed”: In September, COBE retained the services of the AC Martin, an architectural company from Los Angeles that specializes in building “programming” to begin the first phase of our New Building Project. Programming involves translating ideas, opinions, plus actual data into a clear definition the size and general layout for the building. AC Martin consultants worked with faculty, staff, administrators, and representatives from the business community to capture the essence of what the new building should be. The process was finished in January.

The result is that the new COBE building will be one of approximately 98,000 square feet (about twice the size of the current building) and will be organized into five floors. Although the detailed design is yet to come, in general the five floors will include the following components:

Ground Floor: 150 seat Lecture Hall, food court, an information commons, student work space, a financial case style technology classroom and financial trading room, the Student Services Center, the COBE Business Research and Economic Development Center which includes the Small Business Development Center, the TechHelp center, the Centre for Creativity and Innovation, and the Center for Entrepreneurship.

2nd Floor: technology classrooms and computer labs, IT support facilities, two department complexes with faculty and staff offices and collaboration space and team collaboration rooms.

3rd Floor: Two department complexes with faculty and staff offices and collaboration space, case style high-tech classrooms, student collaboration space and technology supported work spaces for students.

4th Floor: One department complex with faculty and staff offices and collaboration space, the Administrative Suite (dean’s office etc.), case style high-tech classrooms, student collaboration space, and graduate assistant office space.

5th Floor: MBA quality case style classrooms, Executive MBA/Executive education classrooms, Board Room and graduate student collaboration space. The footprint of the 5th floor will be smaller than the 4th floor to allow for an outdoor patio to serve as a gathering place for COBE events and for students during periods of nice weather.

Exterior: The exterior appearance of the new COBE building will be consistent with it’s prominent location at the west entrance to the campus on the corner of Capitol Blvd. and University Drive. The exterior is expected to have lots of glass and be constructed on materials that are attractive with a design that is lasting in its appeal.

Sustainability: We plan to do everything that is feasible in following the latest practices in constructing a sustainable building. For example, the current plan is to use natural hot water to heat the building. All other systems will consider “green” options as the first choice. To encourage our faculty to bike to work, the building will have secure bicycle storage and showers and changing facilities.
Next Steps: By the end of May, we will select the architect firm to do the detail design of the building. The design process is expected to take 7-10 months. Thus, construction bids are expected to go out in the spring of 2010. The construction time for this size and type of building is expected to be about two years. Thus, the planned move in time will be summer of 2012. We are getting closer by the day!