Stantec’s HUST design supports health sciences, diverse needs

The $125 million, 17-story tower, with design by Stantec, will feature health science classrooms and simulation laboratories.

Harrisburg, Pa.— Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HUST) recently broke ground on the second academic tower on its downtown campus in Pennsylvania’s capital city.

The $125 million, 17-story tower, with design by Stantec, will feature health science classrooms and simulation laboratories, which support the university’s nursing, pharmaceutical sciences and other allied health programs. The project also incorporates specialized laboratories dedicated to advanced manufacturing and digital media studies and incorporates a 197-room hotel linked to the university by a shared atrium space.

“As the University expands its downtown Harrisburg footprint with this second academic tower, Stantec’s work for HUST represents the latest in a growing trend for health sciences education,” Alex Wing, principal for Stantec, said. “Statistics from the Bureau for Labor indicate healthcare occupation employment is projected to grow 18% through 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 2.4 million new jobs. Because of this greater demand for healthcare services, academic institutions will find value in establishing flexible facilities able to adapt to changing needs.”

Classrooms are located adjacent to a learning commons configured to allow
studio-type science classes, and flexible classrooms with operable walls
accommodate shifts in curricula and pedagogy “on the fly.”

Currently, HUST serves approximately 700 undergraduates and 5,500 graduate-level students. With an undergraduate minority enrollment of 45%, its leaders take pride in making a priority of providing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to historically under-represented groups.

This new innovative learning environment will feature multi-venue classrooms equipped with team tables and separate plasma screens. Classrooms are located adjacent to a learning commons configured to allow studio-type science classes. Additionally, flexible classrooms with operable walls accommodate shifts in curricula and pedagogy “on the fly.”  By utilizing suites adjacent to ample public collaboration zones, these spaces form the core of the university’s team-based/project-based learning methods.
This new project also provides much needed academic space just two blocks from the university’s first tower, also designed by Stantec. The building will mark the Harrisburg skyline and connect to local street activity via an internal atrium dedicated to the HUST learning community. In addition, the project includes plans for a privately-operated, 197-room hotel and a street level restaurant — integrating this urban campus with the greater downtown Harrisburg community. The tower is planned to be ready for full occupancy by the start of the 2021-2022 academic year.

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