Wayne State College, Benthack Hall
Wayne State College, Benthack Hall
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Wayne, NE
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Nebraska State College System
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43,502 SF
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Food and nutrition lab
Textile labs
Lecture hall
Student Commons
Entry/plaza
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Architecture
Engineering
Interior Design
Construction Administration
Lacking program space and technology needs for the Industry Technology program, Wayne State College decided to relocate the program to a new facility on campus creating a unique opportunity for our education team to renovate the 43,502 SF Benthack Hall to better support the Family and Consumer Sciences program along with enhancing their Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership. As with any 40+ year old campus building, Benthack Hall was outdated and suffered from many years of use along with typical deficiencies found in buildings of this era. This renovation project included:
Programming: Through open flow concepts and sprawling sight lines, the design uses layers of transparency to place education on display. It fosters collaboration for educators while retaining specific functions for individual programs. A new food and nutrition lab occupies the northwest of the building and includes an instructor station and student stations with electric and gas cooking equipment so students learn the advantages of both. Textile labs were designed and programmed to establish a stronger visual presence on campus. Lecture halls and restrooms were updated in place to capture greater value, conserving the cost of moving while radically improving learning experiences amid modern mechanical, electrical, plumbing and technology infrastructure.
New Front Entry/Plaza: 16,400 SF of new hardscape/green space created a new inviting entry/plaza on the north of the building that activated the campus' major pedestrian corridor while providing students and faculty a new outdoor collaboration space.
Envelope: Improving 3,285 SF of the building's envelope through window improvements.
Systems: Replacing and modernizing mechanical, electrical, and fire and life safety infrastructure throughout the building.
