Knox Regional Health Science Education Center

Roane State Community College's Knox County Center for Health Sciences is a state-of-the-art health and science education facility, with a design that provides immersive, competency-based learning opportunities.

The core of the design is the building's U-shaped layout, which frames views of the lake across the street and allows natural daylight to enter all program spaces. The courtyard created by this layout serves as a gathering and respite space, in addition to accommodating food trucks and college vendors. The multi-story, light-filled atrium and its monumental stair are the spine of the building.

The Center for Health Sciences houses a cutting-edge full simulation hospital, including an emergency department, operating room, patient rooms, and attached observation areas for professors. EMS simulation spaces, like a two-story apartment and an ambulance bay, allow students to train in the entire timeline of patient care. The simulation center replicates true, real-world scenarios. Barber McMurry worked with simulation design specialists Lavallee Brensinger Architects. 

The building houses Roane State and TCAT Knoxville programs, including nursing, cardiovascular technology, dental assisting, EMT, phlebotomy, respiratory therapy, sterile processing, and other health science curricula. From the outset, Tennessee Board of Regents intended this partnership and project model to be a prototype for community college and TCAT relationships across the state.