Owens Community College, Heath Education Center
Type of Construction
Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR)
Square Footage
87,060
Construction Cost
$21,951,436
Owens Community College’s Health Education Center exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to campus development through adaptive reuse. By transforming two underutilized mid-1990s buildings—the former Audio Visual Classroom Center and Campus Library—into a state-of-the-art, 87,000+ square foot healthcare training facility, the project redefines how educational infrastructure can evolve to meet shifting programmatic demands. The new center supports over 10 healthcare disciplines, offering students immersive, real-world learning experiences in a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment.
Rather than building anew, the college made a strategic and sustainable choice to repurpose existing structures—preserving the original masonry shells while reconfiguring interior spaces to support flexible classrooms, simulation labs, and clinical environments. Four new architectural additions were seamlessly integrated using a “key-in-keyhole” strategy, minimizing expansion while maximizing functional space. Nearly all non-load-bearing interior walls were removed, creating open, adaptable layouts that accommodate diverse program needs without compromising the integrity of the original construction.
The facility departs from the traditional model of segregated healthcare education by fostering interaction between students across nursing, radiology, dental, surgical, and other medical programs. Purpose-built spaces—including a working dental clinic, hospital-grade surgical suite, radiology lab, and over 40 simulation beds—mirror the realities of professional healthcare environments. These hands-on training areas are supported by intuitive wayfinding, hospital-grade finishes, and a cohesive interior design language that balances functionality with user comfort.
Delivered for under $22 million, the Health Education Center reflects outstanding value—expanding the region’s capacity to train healthcare professionals while offering community-facing services like low-cost dental care. The project demonstrates the power of strategic planning, design innovation, and institutional vision to create long-lasting educational impact. As a model for adaptive reuse and interdisciplinary learning, the center reinforces Owens Community College’s role as a vital contributor to regional workforce development and public health.
