The University of Houston’s new 130,000-square-foot building sits on a 43-acre site to serve as the home of the new College of Medicine. The new college includes large format teaching spaces, small group meeting rooms, office and administrative suites, simulation center and anatomy suite as well as dedicated social and study spaces.

Promoting physical health is the driving force of the project’s mission and the building design. Creating active spaces is a key design component and informed the building’s programming, circulation and infrastructure.

The Active Learning Classroom services as both a teaching space and is easily accessible on the first level to support community events. The central “heart” of the building unites students, faculty and visitors visually and physically. The Wellness studio was designed to provide flexible student events. Both passive and active design strategies were used to reduce energy demand, and promote cleaner energy sources.