LS3P Designs Institute of Innovation for Richland School District Two
June 27, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – The Richland Two Institute of Innovation, an educational resource center that will provide learning labs, professional development center, academic support offices and an area for a community information, broke ground at a Thursday, June 26, 2014 morning ceremony. Designed to put learning on display and encourage community partnerships, the Institute won an AIA SC Merit Award for un-built projects in 2013, and is scheduled to open in 2016. Located on a site at the Village at Sandhill, this design-build project is led by M.B. Kahn Construction Co., Inc. and is designed by LS3P.
According to LS3P’s Principal-in-Charge, Mary Beth Sims Branham, “This project has been the design experience of a lifetime. The opportunity to work with Richland School District Two, one of our legacy clients, on this exciting facility aimed at fostering collaboration, community connectivity and multigenerational learning opportunities is a real privilege.”
The exterior design reflects the innovation that will take place inside. The contemporary, industrial inspired façade incorporates a variety of materials from metal panels and pre-cast concrete to glass storefront and stone accents. The large stone wall expressed at the entry actually becomes a continuous wall element that runs through the entire width of the building, offering viewing opportunities into the various activities on each side. Natural daylighting is a key component throughout the facility and is expressed in two clerestory elements at the front and student entry.
LS3P’s project team includes Allen Taylor, AIA, LEED AP; Chuck Hultstrand, AIA, LEED GA; Jason Likas, AIA, LEED AP; Rohit Patel, LEED AP and Julia Kuhn, Assoc. IIDA. Buford Goff Associates, ADC Engineering and R.B. Todd are the primary engineering consultants for the project.
About LS3P
Founded in 1963, LS3P was named Southeast Design Firm of the Year for 2014 by Engineering News Record (ENR). A design firm with regional roots and a national reach, LS3P operates from its 6 offices in Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville, SC and Charlotte, Raleigh and Wilmington, NC, providing architecture, interior architecture, and planning services. The Columbia office leading this project design is celebrating its 10th Anniversary in Columbia this year. LS3P is deeply committed to the communities in which it serves, with over 400 design awards in diverse practice areas. For more information on LS3P, visit www.ls3p.com.
