Design Phase Jumps Into Gear

The expansion project at The Collins College of Hospitality Management is in its Preliminary Design phase, which is commonly known as the design development phase. 

This is a rendering of what the student commons may look like.
To see more images of the expansion, visit our photo gallery.  

A Collins College focus group has been established to provide input on undergraduate lecture rooms, two graduate instructional support classrooms, faculty/staff offices, student commons - featuring a grab n’ go snack shop - and a graduate student commons. The committee had its first interactive workshop on Nov. 7 with HMC Architects and Gilbane, the construction firm.  They discussed design elements including floor layout and proposed furnishings for each of the spaces and gave comments that will be incorporated in shaping the new additions. Committee members include: 

• Dr. Margie Jones
• Dr. Patrick Lee
• Dr. Jim Burke
• Lecturer Jennifer Shepherd
• Student Services Coordinator Summer Pettus
• Undergraduate Students: Mario Jaramillo, Kristin Conant and Melissa Fackler
• Graduate Student Daniel Horowitz

The 50 percent Preliminary Design drawing packet with that resulted from the workshop was presented to facilities management personnel at one of two scheduled Facilities Management workshops on Nov. 14. The Collins College strives for quality, efficiency and sustainability in all of its expansion projects, so this was an opportunity to insure that the buildings can be easily maintained as well as identify issues that may be developing on the design and selection of materials, equipment and furnishings.

The design team is also currently engineering the design of the cooling tower, a prominent feature in the expansion project. Simultaneously, there is a value management assessment team busy at work looking at ways to get the most out of the budget while maintaining the quality The Collins College exudes. LEED points toward GOLD LEED certification are being reviewed to insure that all certification requirements are achieved by the time the project is complete.

The expansion project has started out on the right foot and is well on its way toward a better college for current and future faculty, staff, students and alumni. Keep a look out for more updates regarding expansions and upgrades to come.