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Derek West

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    Medical Education Building Advanced Planning and Design

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    East Carolina University

    •

    Greenville, North Carolina

    •

    240,000 SF

    This rendering showcases another perspective of East Carolina University's campus development, featuring a striking academic building with distinctive architectural elements. The structure combines light brick with extensive glass facades, prominently displaying the ECU logo at the top of a dramatic glass stairwell tower that reveals purple interior elements. The building employs a stepped design with multiple levels and varying façade treatments, including vertical fins on the right portion. It connects to an existing larger white campus building visible on the left, suggesting this is an expansion or companion facility. The landscape design creates a welcoming approach with terraced green spaces, mature trees, and pedestrian pathways that guide visitors toward the entrance. The overall composition balances contemporary architectural expression with integration into the existing campus context while creating outdoor gathering spaces for the university community.
    This rendering shows a modern academic building on East Carolina University's campus, as indicated by the ECU shield logo visible on the façade. The multi-story structure features a balanced design of brick cladding and extensive glass curtain walls, creating a blend of traditional campus materials with contemporary architectural elements. A dramatic glass atrium corner provides vertical connectivity and natural light penetration. The building's podium level includes a covered entrance area with columns, creating a welcoming approach. Surrounding the building is thoughtfully landscaped green space with mature trees, pedestrian pathways, and gathering areas that integrate the structure into the campus environment. Adjacent buildings suggest this is part of a larger medical or academic complex, likely housing classrooms, research spaces, or administrative offices for the university.
    This rendering depicts the contemporary Brody School of Medicine with distinctive architectural features. The three-story structure combines light brick and metal panel cladding with a dramatic angled roof that incorporates what appears to be solar panels or shading elements along its slope. The right portion features a glass curtain wall allowing natural light into the interior, while the main façade has a rhythmic pattern of smaller windows. The landscape design integrates sustainable elements including native plantings, purple flowering beds near the entrance, and bicycle parking to encourage alternative transportation. A pedestrian crosswalk leads to the main entrance where a covered entry area provides shelter. Mature trees frame the building, while the parking area is minimized in favor of green space, reflecting modern campus design principles that prioritize sustainability and pedestrian-friendly environments.
    This rendering depicts Howell Hall at East Carolina University, featuring a modern architectural design with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. The building showcases large glass windows on the ground floor with a wooden-slatted ceiling overhang, creating a covered outdoor space where students can gather at purple chairs and tables. The ECU shield logo is prominently displayed on the building's exterior. The entrance area includes wide concrete steps where some students are sitting, while others walk along the spacious plaza. Surrounding greenery with mature trees complements the light-colored stone façade, creating an inviting academic environment that balances contemporary design with functional student spaces.
    This rendering depicts a state-of-the-art medical education classroom or simulation space designed for collaborative learning. The Brody School of Medicine room features multiple large display screens showing anatomical images of the heart and lungs with detailed diagrams and X-rays, clearly intended for medical instruction. Bright yellow chairs surround white modular tables that can be configured for different teaching scenarios, all set on a dark patterned carpet. The ceiling incorporates a modern slatted design with integrated linear lighting. Glass partitions separate this main learning space from adjacent areas where students and instructors in medical attire (scrubs and white coats) are visible. Several people are engaged in discussion throughout the space, reinforcing its purpose as an interactive medical teaching environment where clinical concepts can be visualized and studied collaboratively.
    This interior rendering showcases a modern medical education facility with an open, multi-level design. The ECU Brody School of Medicine interior features a sophisticated architectural layout with white structural beams, black ceiling details, and suspended linear lighting. Wooden-clad office or exam room enclosures create warm accents against the terrazzo-style speckled flooring. Two healthcare professionals in blue scrubs converse on the left, while other figures are visible throughout the space, including someone in business attire approaching a doorway. Black metal railings define the upper-level walkways and stairwell areas, and natural light floods in through large windows. The overall design balances clinical functionality with contemporary aesthetics, creating a bright, professional environment with clear sightlines across multiple levels.
    This rendering displays the interior of ECU Brody School of Medicine with a striking biophilic design element. The central corridor features highly polished terrazzo flooring that reflects the overhead lighting. To the right, a dramatic wooden slat wall incorporates vertical panels of preserved moss, bringing natural elements indoors. The space includes multiple seating areas with purple accent chairs and wooden tables, creating collaborative zones. On the left, a lounge area with dark sofas and carpeting offers a more casual gathering space with purple accent walls. The multi-story atrium allows for natural light penetration, with a figure visible on an upper-level walkway. Several people in both casual and professional attire (including what appears to be a medical coat) are shown throughout the space. The design balances professional functionality with warm, inviting elements through its thoughtful use of materials and color.
    This rendering showcases a Brody School of Medicine lounge or break area combining multiple functional zones. The space features a contemporary design with distinctive teal pendant lighting fixtures hanging from an exposed ceiling structure. On the left, a comfortable lounge area with gray sofas and bean bag seating creates a relaxation zone where medical professionals in scrubs and business attire converse. The center includes a wooden-topped counter with vibrant purple stools and a living plant wall element. To the right, a kitchen and dining area with white cabinetry, black tile backsplash, and additional seating allows for meals and casual meetings. The design uses a consistent color palette of gray, white, purple, and natural wood tones throughout, with strategic placement of plants adding warmth. The multi-functional layout accommodates both social interaction and quiet work.

    BSA is proud to have partnered with SmithGroup to deliver advanced planning and design services for East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine. Our joint effort resulted in a comprehensive, holistic approach to a new medical education building—one that goes beyond traditional design by optimizing resource allocation, managing complex project requirements, and aligning with long-term academic and healthcare goals.

    This facility, an addition to the existing Brody School of Medicine, will provide a state-of-the-art environment for medical and interprofessional students in Eastern North Carolina. It directly supports growing enrollment and has the potential to transform the region. This potential for transformation is particularly in response to the nationwide shortage of primary care physicians in rural areas. Therefore, the project is designed to increase opportunities for underrepresented students to pursue medical careers. It also intends to strengthen the pipeline of physicians entering primary and rural care. Finally, the project will foster deeper community engagement to improve regional health outcomes.

    The expanded school will feature high-tech classrooms, anatomy labs, and advanced simulation technology, integrated with flexible collaboration rooms, student commons, and green infrastructure. Key areas of the building are designed as “living rooms” for four blended cohorts of medical students. As a result, the built environment creates a sense of home for studying, gathering, and recharging.

    The medical education building’s design emphasizes interconnectivity, fostering meaningful interaction between students and faculty and elevating the Brody experience. Its strategic location and orientation maximize natural daylight in common spaces. Similarly, the contemporary architecture redefines the school’s image and identity and enhances the eastern edge of the health sciences campus.

    Credit for renderings: SmithGroup

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