Built for Learning
Having a human-centered approach, especially early in the design process, is critical to better outcomes.
From the architectural elements outside of the building, like the “lantern” overhang that provides a visual beacon, to the inside where engineering markings were intentionally left exposed for learning, everything was intentional about the design of the RDC.
The 45,000 square feet, LEED Gold certified building was fully completed in January of 2019. Our industry partners made it possible by rising to the challenge of creating a dynamic space that invites curiosity and inspires collaboration.
Our three-story building houses:
- Flexible classrooms
- Gallery and exhibition spaces
- Research and design labs
- Computer labs
- Prototype lab
- Wood-working lab
- Metal lab for welding
- Virtual and Augmented Reality lab
- Collaboration spaces
- Faculty and administrative offices for the Department of Design and Merchandising
- Faculty and administrative offices for the RDC
Creativity is in Everyone
We embraced Nancy Richardson’s affinity for the color red and created bold and bright accents of “RDC red” throughout. All of these efforts have made the RDC a creative hub for everyone at Colorado State University to make, learn, inspire, and thrive.
Embracing new research that considers how the physical environment affects creative productivity, our team employed these three strategies in the construction and layout of the RDC:
November 2016 to June 2017 A Design-Build Competition
Our CSU team framed the project as a design-build competition to close the budget gap. Approximately seven teams responded to the RFP. Three were selected to develop design proposals that were evaluated on technical, functional, and artistic merit as well as cost and creative value-engineering solutions. The team of Saunders Construction and OZ Architecture were awarded the project.
