| Even before the engineering program was initiated, Smith needed major renovations to science laboratories and classrooms. After an intensive study, the best solution found was construction of a "temporary" building to house engineering facilities and allow renovation to proceed on the existing spaces.
The engineering building is rising directly behind the Alumnae Gymnasium that houses the Sophia Smith Collection and the college archives. While adequate to program needs, the new structure is not intended to remain a permanent building, which is why it lacks the architectural qualities to fit in with its neighbors. The constraints of tight site space and time create an interesting construction challenge.
The facility will include classrooms, teaching and research laboratories, a designated computer laboratory (although each individual student station throughout the building's classrooms and labs will be equipped with computer networking capabilities), a design studio space, and a well appointed seminar room. |
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