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Southeast Community College Academic Excellence Center

A machine for learning designed to enhance the community college experience and connect with the local context.

Location
Beatrice, NE
Client
Southeast Community College
Practices
Architecture, Interior Design, Education Design
Size
52,000 sq.ft.
Year
2023
Awards
The Chicago Athenaeum - American Architecture Award, AIA Education Facility Design Awards - Merit Award, Learning By Design Educational Facility Design Awards - Outstanding Project Award, SCUP Design Awards - Honorable Mention, AIA Central States - Honorable Mention, AIA Nebraska - Architecture Honor Award

A machine for learning

The facility is purpose-built to best serve its users, demonstrating how contemporary design can enhance the student learning experience and create connections between people, ideas, and the surrounding community.

A pedestrian main street

A primary circulation spine forms a main street that spans the length of the building. This wide corridor features impromptu seating and study areas to "slow down" the student experience, encouraging social interaction and serendipitous encounters not typically part of a commuter college experience.

Embracing the rural vernacular

Inspired by its humble surroundings, the building celebrates the vernacular by making reference to the colors, textures, patterns, and materials found in its agrarian setting.

“Taking what I'm sure was a challenging budget and elevating the community college experience to this level is very impressive.”

– Susan T. Rodriguez, FAIA - Founding Principal, Susan T Rodriguez | Architecture · Design

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Additional Credits

Photography: Michael Robinson & William Hess

Architect of Record: BVH Architecture

General Contractor: Hausmann Construction

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