Rider University North Hall Featured in Architectural Portfolio Honoring Education Design Excellence

Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. announces that Rider University North Hall in Lawrenceville, NJ has been selected for publication in Penton Media’s AMERICAN SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY 2012 Architectural Portfolio. The project is featured in the November 2012 edition of the magazine and also on the web at http://www.SchoolDesigns.com. An annual competition honoring education design excellence, the Architectural Portfolio spotlights projects representing today’s most effective learning environments.

With the need for additional classroom and faculty office space in high demand to meet the effective faculty to student ratios for delivering the curriculum, Rider University embraced the new academic building design. North Hall, which is located off the campus green, is configured to create a student gathering plaza; a feature that was missing from the campus vernacular. The building contains 10 classrooms and 16 faculty offices, as well as a large seminar room that acts as the Presidents Board Room. Informal learning areas within the circulation space and flexible conference rooms allow for a comfortable learning environment for students. This sustainable building also has green roofs for experimental plantings. North Hall is certified LEED™ Gold.

A jury of American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education members and education administrators evaluated submissions from architectural firms, schools and universities across the country. The jury considered the following specific criteria to make selections: student-centric 21st-century schools, community use/partnerships, sustainability/energy efficiency, design that is reflective of culture and community, design that respects the environment, flexibility, maintenance and materials. In addition, the jury considered that kids want to learn where they live – that the design should consider new trends and users should enjoy the environment, incorporating informal spaces for learning, such as the outdoors. The jury also commented that the design process should be inclusive and explain how a facility has to change to those who may be resistant.

Founded in 1928, AMERICAN SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY is devoted exclusively to education facilities/business administration. The authority for information about the educational facilities market, the publication delivers an insightful combination of exclusive reports, special focuses and how-to articles. More information about Architectural Portfolio, including a complete list of 2012 projects selected for publication, is available on AMERICAN SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY’s http://www.SchoolDesigns.com website.