Principia College Completes Watson Science Building Addition

Principia College in Elsah, Ill., contracted Mackey Mitchell Associates to design the Watson Science Building addition. Originally designed by Bernard Maybeck in the 1930's, the 51,000-sf project followed green design principles. It includes faculty offices, classrooms and labs for 10 science departments, a 200-seat auditorium and a greenhouse. Minimizing contact between the original structure and the addition, Mackey Mitchell opted for a "green" design featuring natural light via the central atrium, skylights, and clerestory glass block windows. A light-filled, glass-enclosed aviary houses tropical birds and plants. Other eco-features include: an insulated building envelope; a stained concrete floor; use of  recycled plastic partitions in the lavatories; recycled carpet; multi-switch, energy-efficient, direct/indirect lighting systems; and zone-variable motion sensitive air volume HVAC systems. To reduce heat loss and gain, the classroom structure was designed in a loop/racetrack plan, with support functions centrally located and teaching spaces on the perimeter with maximum exposure to natural light. A new auditorium and adjoining faculty office wing complement the existing structure. Completed in November 1999, the addition cost $160/sf and can accommodate 535 students. The project team included structural engineer Alper Audi, MEP engineer William Tao Associates, general contractor S.M. Wilson & Co., and construction manager Hercules Construction.