Bill Haslam Center for Math & Science

The Bill Haslam Center for Math and Science at Pellissippi State Community College houses academic classrooms, science and mathematics labs, and faculty offices — with a thoughtful design that completes the quad and acts as a welcoming front door to campus.

The two-story lobby is glazed on two sides with a mixture of vision and frosted glass, overlooking the nearby pond and main vehicular entry, creating a welcoming arrival point for campus. The extensive glazing not only brings natural light into the building, it acts as a beacon at the front of campus. On the campus side, the building and its contextual landscaping are curved in response to the existing buildings on campus. A raised platform creates a terraced seating area for students, while a curved overhang leads into a hallway that bisects the building — a clear visual and physical connection for pedestrian traffic on campus.

The exterior design and materiality reflects the existing campus aesthetic while updating and modernizing it. Interiors are clean and minimalist, while vibrant pops of Pellissippi State brand colors, gold and navy, are interjected throughout the building. The interior design established alcoves and nooks for students to study, collaborate, or simply hang out between classes.