ODU Darden College of Education and Professional Studies Building

This five story, 120,245 SF marquis building is located at the south campus gateway to the university at the busiest intersection on campus. This building was designed and built to educate the Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) educators of tomorrow and includes: academic classrooms, graduate  student and faculty office spaces, art / fashion / jewelry design and maker spaces, engineering and robotics lab spaces, materials science and welding labs, general purpose teaching spaces, and dry lab spaces.

The brick veneer and precast “L” shaped building is comprised of two (2), five-story wings that encompass an exterior green space facing the main campus, leading pedestrian traffic to the building. Connecting the wings is a sculptural glass and precast tower containing a two-story multipurpose auditorium (ground level), and a two- story Learning Commons Theater (level three). Both were constructed on a raised floor system housing the utility infrastructure (power, AV, IT, HVAC, etc.).  University staff offices, and conference / board room are located on the fifth level penthouse.

Community engagement during construction was important to the owner. In response, SBBCC orchestrated several faculty and staff tours and a student tour consisting of approximately twenty (20) technical education and engineering students. Guided by SBBCC and our sub-contractors, the students spent the afternoon discussing the building’s electrical power / lighting, HVAC, and DDC systems in a ‘real-world’ environment

This project was under construction in the busiest portion of the University with very heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The site had minimal lay- down area for building material, requiring just-in- time deliveries. SBBCC worked with the tenants in the neighboring buildings to ensure their day-to-day operations were not interrupted. This included working at night and on holidays to perform required power shut downs to tie in permanent power and fiber to prevent any downtime to the end user and surrounding tenants. The site was also directly across the street from a fire station, which required additional planning and precaution. S.B. Ballard successfully completed this project safely, on-time, and within budget.

Project Features:
> LEED Silver Certified 120,245 square feet
> Five stories, with large multipurpose auditorium
> 11 University classrooms with capacity to hold 500 students
> 151 faculty offices
> Nine laboratories for science, technology education, mathematics and industrial technology
> STEM Laboratories
> Dedicated space for: Monarch Teach program | The Virginia Early Childhood Policy Center | The ODU Literacy Center
> Learning Commons

First Floor:
– Multipurpose auditorium, a unique venue with the flexibility to transform the space for large or small events
– Career and Advising Resource Center: educational and professional support for students throughout their academic journey
– 11 University classrooms
– Mursion Lab: a mixed-reality teaching environment that simulates a classroom experience

Second Floor:
– Teacher Education Services
– Faculty Departments: Counseling and Human Services, and Educational Foundations and Leadership
– Break room featuring small table, and chairs and television

Third Floor:
– Learning Commons: a supportive space for students to study, equipped with tables and computers
– Learning Resource Center: a collaborative hub where students design, create and extend their learning via tech tools, educational software, trade books, and support services
– Faculty Department: Teaching and Learning
– Dean’s Office

Fourth Floor:
– STEM laboratories with mobile and flexible chairs, transforming the traditional classroom into a more interactive, dynamic teaching and learning environment
– Faculty Department: STEM Education and Professional Studies
– Break room featuring small table, chairs and television

Fifth Floor:
– Doctoral Defense Room
– Dean’s Conference Room
– Pre-function space for event

Check out the 360˚ tour of the Building.