COM Outlook Winter 2020

hen the various decision makers involved in the construction of Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU’s) Tampa Bay Regional Campus in Clearwater, Florida, met to dis- cuss the bold undertaking, much thought went into creating each aspect of the 311,000-square-foot education complex. This contem- plative approach was especially true when it came to constructing a campus that incorporated distinctive design principles. Visitors are greeted by floor- to-ceiling windows on every floor that maximize views of serene waters. Glass markers are used to note formulas and ideas in study rooms overlooking the courtyard. Below, a group of students initiates a quick game of touch football while others stroll past. Inside, students crisscross on their way to the gym, café, and class. The atmosphere is both relaxed and energy-charged, exactly as the architects hoped it would be. Indoors and out, examples abound of how the architects incorporated biophilic design into the new campus. Biophilic design reinforces appreciation of one’s environmental surroundings while creating a productive and healthy environment. Elements include natural lighting and ventilation, as well as natural land- scape features. Research shows that people who study or work in these more natural environments tend to experience decreased stress, enhanced creativity, and accelerated recovery from illness. According to the architect’s project description, three overarch- ing principles were incorporated— prospect, refuge, and mystery. To fulfill the prospect ideal, the complex was built to provide “unimpeded view over distance for surveillance and planning.” The idea of refuge introduced spaces that allow for “withdrawal from intense conditions or the main flow of activity in which the individual is protected from behind and overhead.” The element of mystery was achieved through “partially obscured views or other sensory devices (continued on page 11)