A Transformative Combination of Educational and Research Opportunities

John & Joan Bollier Center for Integrated Science and Engineering Building

Gonzaga University

The John and Joan Bollier Center for Integrated Science and Engineering supports new opportunities for faculty and students to work across majors and departments through interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary problem-based initiatives. As a symbol and the foundation to catalyze this change, the new facility is dedicated to both innovative teaching and research activities. The project is designed by SRG in a joint effort with Integrus Architecture out of Spokane, WA.

Size

82,000 sf

Location

Spokane, WA

Year Complete

2021

Project Tags

Engineering, Gonzaga University, Higher Education, Instructional Labs, Interdisciplinary, Lab Design, Research Labs, Science, Spokane, Stem, Washington

Local Architect
Integrus Architecture
Contractor
Walker Construction
Lab Designer
Research Facilities Design
MEP Engineer
MW Consulting Engineers
Landscape Architect
SPVV Landscape Architects
Structural & Civil Engineer
DCI Engineers
Acoustical Design
Listen Acoustics
Cost Estimator
Roen Associates

The Bollier Center represents the promise of what we call potential energy. Potential energy is a possibility, it is a promise. That potential energy becomes kinetic energy, and it makes something happen. Karlene Hoo, Ph.D., Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science

New Opportunities for Gonzaga University

By highlighting the extraordinary potential of faculty and students to work in multidisciplinary collaborations on real-world projects, this new facility reflects the Jesuit mission of service to the world. Further, by facilitating new opportunities for industry partners, advanced research, and public outreach, the building benefits from and enriches the science/engineering community in the Spokane region. By bringing together diverse academic disciplines, it encourages collaboration where innovative discoveries and the most productive advancements in both the sciences and engineering are currently being made.

A Holistic Range of Experiences

The program consists of four types of spaces focused on student learning: general classrooms, student project areas, teaching labs dedicated to a specific discipline but with flexibility to adapt over time and faculty / student research spaces which are specific to areas of research but can adapt over time. In addition, the program also includes faculty offices and student study areas to create a holistic range of experiences.

Maximizing Interaction Between Disciplines

Coffee and snacks can attract students and faculty to a large central gathering space on the ground level where student projects and ongoing research endeavors are on display. Adjacent to this central gathering space is an innovation center, which houses classes that bring together multiple disciplines. Large open student project spaces are also located on the ground floor and are designed to be open to create a studio atmosphere, promote flexibility, and provide access directly to Cataldo Way to allow students outside of the science and engineering disciplines visibility to view the student learning that occurs in the building. Teaching labs are across the corridor with a student interaction zone between that allows for the meeting of students and faculty to occur naturally thereby enriching the collaboration between disciplines.