Norfolk State University, Nursing and General Education Building

Located between Norfolk State University's library and student center, the Nursing and General Education Building helps define the campus quad while serving nursing, allied health, and general academic programs. The four-story structure replaced a former hospital building and transformed the site into a center for learning and collaboration.

Academic Spaces Support Multiple Programs

The building's layout distributes specialized facilities across four floors. The first floor houses Liberal Arts and Graduate Studies dean suites, classrooms, computer labs, seminar rooms, study spaces, and a coffee shop. The second floor includes virtual classrooms, seminar rooms, computer labs, study rooms, a tutorial center, faculty offices, and an auditorium.

Allied Health programs occupy the third floor, while the fourth floor is dedicated to the Nursing program. The nursing facilities include advanced clinical simulation labs with ICU capabilities, health assessment labs, a home care lab, virtual reality lab, and specialty labs. These spaces are supported by faculty offices, interview rooms, and additional computer labs.

Interior Design Enhances Learning Experience

The two-story lobby features a terrazzo floor pattern incorporating university colors and logos, complemented by lighting design and warm wood panels. This architectural treatment extends to the lecture halls and auditoriums, where acoustical wood ceiling panels and stretched wall panels optimize sound quality.

The facility incorporates study and social spaces, with lounges featuring soft seating and built-in benches equipped with power outlets. Classrooms are configured with centralized modular furniture and patient beds along the perimeter for hands-on learning. Acoustical wall panels throughout ensure effective sound control both within and between rooms.

Sustainable Design and Engineering Features

The building earned LEED Gold certification through its sustainable design features. Large windows provide natural daylight, while a horizontal sun shading system helps direct natural light and prevent glare. The project utilized recycled and regionally-manufactured materials, and achieved maximum credits for low-emitting materials to ensure high indoor air quality.

The mechanical systems include a high-efficiency four-pipe VAV HVAC system with water-cooled chillers and condensing boilers. Custom rooftop air handling units with service vestibules improve maintenance access, while an integrated exhaust air energy recovery system enhances indoor air quality and reduces energy consumption. The building achieved an Energy Star Target Finder Score of 92, demonstrating excellent energy performance.

Technology Integration

The building features extensive power and data connectivity, including desktop connections for students in most classrooms. Multiple teleconferencing rooms support remote learning capabilities, while specialized medical simulation spaces on the top floor replicate hospital environments. A comprehensive building automation system provides detailed monitoring capabilities for improved maintenance and energy efficiency.