July 2006
Look inside the stone and glass façade and you will see that this is more than just a beautiful new addition to the Fairfield University campus. It is a new way of connecting student resources with undergraduate students, graduate students and part time adult learners alike. Look even deeper and you will see it is part of Fairfield’s comprehensive strategy to recruit and retain students.
Convenience & service leading to community and retention
At the heart of the new Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. Center is a customer service focus you might find more common when you are out shopping; a more convenient way for students to ask questions, sign-up for classes, find resources and ‘get on with the learning’. But this simple idea is part of a vision that makes this University project so unique.
“From the beginning we wanted to create a place that would serve as a gateway for new students with all of the key resources in one place,” explains Judy Dobai, Assoc. Vice President for Enrollment Management. “But that is only half the story – we knew if we made this service commitment tangible to prospective graduate and undergraduate students it could become a central part of the ‘Fairfield Experience’ while they are part of our community.”
Experience + student-focus = recruitment
So the Fairfield team extended this challenge to the team of architects, designers, engineers and builders: Bring together different learning communities with all student resources and create a unified student experience that helps recruit and retain students while ensuring that the building is flexible for the future and uses less energy.
“Right from the start, we knew we shared a common vision to make sure this investment was more than just a building,” said Don Slaght, Exec. Vice President of Workstage and the leader of the design-build team for the Center. “The Fairfield team and our team knew that if the building was going to be effective, all aspects of architecture, technology and furnishings had to support the University’s service focus.”
Teamwork delivers on ambitious plan
To manifest this vision, Workstage facilitated the teamwork with its integrated design process. This is a method that ensures that architects, designers, users, and construction experts work together right from the beginning. “We facilitated dozens of sessions with the users, departments, and architects and designed the building from the inside-out,” explains Slaght.
This collaborative process had many supporters. “By following the Workstage process, our designers were on the same page as the users, the engineers and the construction experts at all times,” said Mike Corby, principal partner of Integrated Architecture and leader of architectural design for the team. “This method also allowed us to design-in some very innovative ‘green’ technologies that means the building will consume less energy and will future-proof the technology as needs change.”
According to Ric Taylor, Assoc. Vice President of Campus Planning and Operations, sustainability and flexibility were forefront on everyone’s mind as they began the project. “We knew if we had the right team that we could build a better building.” Having managed many of the University’s projects in the past, Taylor is convinced the Workstage process is a large part of how the team delivered on its promise of a student-centered, healthier, and more flexible building that is better for the environment.
Next Newsletter:
- How student resources are organized in the building
- Get under the hood - see how the building technology ensures the building will consume less power, provide healthier indoor air quality.
Fairfield University Dates to Remember
August 22
Back to Campus Day for Adult Learners
August 29
Back to Campus Day for Adult Learners
September 30
Undergraduate Preview Day
October 5
Kelley Center Dedication
The Campus as a Classroom
Formal Learning
Just what is a learning environment? We are no longer constrained to classrooms, lecture halls and labs. Increasingly we are learning collaboratively, remotely and asynchronously. Everywhere. Learn more about the changing nature of learning environments.
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About Fairfield
Fairfield University is a comprehensive Jesuit higher education institution that prepares undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students for leadership and service in a constantly changing world. For more information visit: www.fairfield.edu
About Workstage
Workstage is a research-driven design build developer focused on delivering the world's most flexible, people-centered, and sustainable buildings.Since that inception, Workstage has been named one of America's top ten most innovative developers, developed more than 40 High Performance Buildings, received the prestigious national AIA Honor Award for design excellence, and has built some of the world's most sustainable buildings. For more information visit: go.workstage.com
