MCA was Architect of Record for the renovation of the Nursing and Science & Technology buildings at Howard Community College, which were renamed Howard Hall and the Academic Commons at completion. The two structures were taken down to their structure and completely rebuilt to provide state-of-the-art teaching, student services, and administrative space comparable to recent new buildings on the HCC campus. In addition, partial renovations of Clark Library and McCuan Hall were part of the project, which comprises over 107,200 gross square feet. The newly renovated spaces support the Social Sciences and Teacher Education Division, as well as allow for the expansion of program space.

This project provides flexible learning classrooms, class labs, collaborative study areas, teaching and learning services, as well as administrative areas. MCA helped the College expand its physical space by recapturing underutilized area under a building overhang at minimal additional cost. The project restored two of HCC’s oldest buildings so they fully meet the College’s standards, which will allow them to serve the HCC community for decades to come.

Project Highlights

• The project was the subject of an educational presentation delivered at the Society of College and University Planners 2017 Mid-Atlantic Conference.

• During this project the building systems were designed to be more energy efficient.

• The project design fully meets HCC’s operational needs and was completed well within the allocated construction budget.

• The buildings were configured to provide clear circulation, collaboration space for students and departmental identity for the numerous College constituent groups that occupy the buildings.

• A consistent interior design theme was applied that recognizes distinct zones within the facility but also provides continuity across what were originally designed as separate structures.