Innovative Science Lab Designed for Student Achievement

Located on the Missouri State University Campus in Springfield, the Greenwood Lab School Science Scholars' Addition opened for classes on January 17.

Greenwood students have a history of excellence in science and many go on to have careers in science-related fields. A new science wing has been a long-term dream for the school. The project was made possible by a family with three generations of Greenwood graduates who offered matching funds specifically for this project.

This addition is not just about adding more space, it's also about adding innovative, state-of-the-art labs and learning facilities for teaching students about physics, earth sciences, chemistry, and biology. The building is designed to be a teaching tool for high school and university students that features over-sized, flexible space for a range of curricula and pedagogy. All classroom elements (desks, lab stations, and computers) are mobile for greater flexibility and adaptability. As our MEP engineer on the project, Ross & Baruzzini designed utility service pipes that are color coded so students know exactly how their classrooms are serviced. The classroom ventilation system was designed to meet university laboratory air quality levels. Designed to be a truly 21st century school, the addition is intended to foster creativity and curiosity in an informal, student-oriented environment.

Additional needs addressed by the project include:

•  Informal learning spaces consisting of three student gathering/lounge areas, one of which can accommodate an entire class
• Enhanced primary and middle school science facilities in the existing science classrooms, which were renovated and re-equipped
• A new "front" to the rear of the building along an emerging primary vehicular route on campus
• Recognition of financial contributions by individuals and families with glass plaques that incorporate science iconography throughout the addition

Designed to and pursuing LEED Silver certification, the addition is oriented for passive solar heating and daylight harvesting which includes automatic and manual lighting settings. Further sustainable techniques utilized in the design include increased thermal performance and indoor air quality, an energy efficient mechanical system, and an efficient use of construction resources. 

Park Central Square

By: Tim Rosenbury, AIA, a principal in Butler, Rosenbury & Partners, was partner in charge of the Park Central Square rehabilitation project.

In 1836 Springfield founder John Polk Campbell set aside the space now known as Park Central Square. He called it Public Square. The most recent rehabilitation marks the 1972 version as the longest-lived version of the historic center of Springfield.

In 1974 Park Central Square was closed to traffic, and "tuning forks" were implemented at the east and west ends of downtown. In addition to the changes in traffic, additional concrete retaining walls and green space were installed around the square. The gazebo was painted dark brown.

These improvements failed. In the late 1980s the square and its spoke streets were reopened. In 1999 the tuning forks were decommissioned and two-way traffic was returned to McDaniel and Olive Streets. Park Central Square received its first maintenance project, by removing all of the trees on the brick plaza, as well as the concrete seating blocks. New concrete bricks were installed in places. Shrubs were added, as well as one ramp connecting lower level fo the square to the area underneath the gazebo. The remaining latticework was removed from the gazebo, and the gazebo frame was painted dark green.

By 2008 Park Central Square was in poor condition. The fountain's 40-year-old piping leaked, and replacement parts for the pumps were no longer available. 1 in 3 brick pavers were damaged. The square had little direct access from the perimeter, and was isolated due to the additional concrete walls and overgrown shrubbery. Lighting was inadequate. View the before photos and see the conditions at the square.

What's more, the perimeter of the square was as inactive as its center. In the mid 2000's the City of Springfield received federal funds specifically for improvements to the square, and the focus was on activating the square by making changes to it.

As changes were contemplated, a small but tenacious group of advocates of landscape architect Lawrence Halprin and Associates' square design listed the square on the National Register of Historic Places. This assured that if federal funds were used, the State Historic Preservation Office could determine how. Park Central Square - the portion designed by Halprin and Associates - became a preservation project.

Preservation projects often incorporate minor changes to improve accessibility, and this is where the most significant changes were made. Ramps at four corners of the square provide improved access. Formerly elevated areas at the southwest and northwest corners, and south of the fountain, were lowered to align with new perimeter sidewalks to improve accessibility. These spaces can also be used as informal seating and dining areas.

New irrigation, sound, lighting, security camera and drainage systems were installed. 40 truckloads of well-draining subsoil were brought on site to replace hard, expansive clay. 72,000 new brick pavers were placed. And, although 31 trees were removed in this project, 65 were added back.

These changes may not be immediately obvious, and that's the point. Lawrence Halprin and Associates' Park Central Square has been rehabilitated to last another 40 years. It has been adaptively reused to improve its purpose as an active space for programmed and unprogrammed activities.

Park Central Square by the Numbers

Times that the Springfield Public Square has changed significantly since 1838: 6

Number of years that "The Pie" occupied Springfield's Public Square: 38

Number of years (and counting) for Lawrence Halprin & Associates' Park Central Square: 40

Number of interim revisions to Halprin & Associates' Park Central Square from 1971 to 2010: 1

Number of pipes supplying heads and jets in the original fountain: 7

     Number that have been replaced due to water loss from leaks: 6

Number of legal ramps for wheelchairs prior to renovation: 0 

     After renovation: 4

Number of barriers in the sidewalk around the inner portion of Park Central Square prior to renovation: 8

     After renovation: 0

Cubic yards of structural soil imported into square during renovation: 500

     In truckloads: 38.5

Cubic yards of rock imported for stormwater drainage: 2,250

     In miles: 3

Number of new brick pavers, each placed by hand: 72,000

Number of trees in the area of Halprin and Associates' Park Central Square prior to renovation: 36

Number of trees removed as part of the renovation, due to disease or nonconformence with Halprin design: 23

Estimated number of years before the remaining ash trees specified by Halprin and Associates will be dieseased by borers: 2

Number of tees in Halprin and Associates' Park Central Square after renovation: 71

Days early that the square will be open, compared to time allowed in the construction contract: 20

Number of public square designed by Halprin and Associates listed on the National Register of Historic Places: 2

BR&P a Nationally-Ranked Retail Design Firm!

In a recent issue of the retail design publication Display & Design Ideas, BR&P is ranked among the top retail design firms in the U.S. See where we rank on the prestigious Design Leaders 2011 list and our fellow honorees! In the past year, BR&P's retail projects include:

• The Great Outpost by Nantahala Outdoor Center - Gatlinburg, TN
• Nantahala Outdoor Center Store at the Grove Park Inn - Asheville, NC
• Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (various projects) - Springfield, MO
• Plato's Closet - Springfield, MO
• ShowPlex Cinemas Expansion & Imax Addition - Springfield, MO

Watch this video about NOC's Store coming soon to the Grove Park Inn! A vacation destination for adventure-seekers!

Survey Says...

In late May, BR&P conducted an anonymous survey to gauge how our firm is perceived in general, and, specifically, how we perform on projects. The results are in, and we want to share them with you.

Who responded? 297 people completed the online survey, and of those...

• 17% were Consultants
• 16% we've worked with as Part of a Construction Team
• 29% were a Past or Current Client
• 38% were None of the Above

Q1: When you think of BR&P, what comes to mind?

The top 5 most frequently used words to describe BR&P are:

1. Architect/Architecture (116 mentions)
2. Firm (58 mentions)
3. Good/Great (28 mentions)
4. Community/Civic (21 mentions)
5. Quality (21 mentions)

Q2: If you have worked with BR&P, how would you rank the experience?

• 80% of Consultants said Excellent or Above Average
• 87% of those who were Part of a Construction Team said Excellent or Above Average
• 82% of Past or Current Clients said Excellent or Above Average

Q3: If you have worked with BR&P, would you work with us again on another project?

• 84% of Consultants said Yes
• 96% of those who were Part of a Construction Team said Yes
• 87% of Past or Current Clients said Yes

Q4: Would you refer BR&P to a friend or colleague?

• 78% of Consultants said Yes
• 89% of those who were Part of a Construction Team said Yes
• 88% of Past or Current Clients said Yes
• 71% of None of the Above said Yes

Q5: How could we be of better value to you?

The top 3 ideas:

1. Continue to do what you're doing (26 mentions)
2. Not sure (20 mentions)
3. Fix the economy (7 mentions - and we would love to be able to do that!)

What did we learn as a result of this survey?

We learned a lot about how were are perceived in the business community among people we've worked with and those we haven't. Geoffrey is known by some for being a private pilot (2 mentions), and people remember Tim's glasses (5 mentions). We learned that, overall, the perception of BR&P is positive. We are viewed as a professional, community-oriented architectural firm that does quality work.

We also learned we have some work to do. We learned that we need to be better listeners and absorb the feedback and input we receive from all team members. Also, we need to give all projects the same amount of care and attention to detail, regardless of size or scope. In this "new normal" era, we need to be even more nimble, flexible and resourceful than ever.

We appreciate all the feedback and insight gained as a result of this survey. This is our 33rd year in business in Springfield, and we look forward to many, many years to come. We are committed to quality, and continuously strive to be passionate client advocates, a proactive team member with consultants and contractors and an engaged, contributing member of the Springfield community.