Florida Atlantic University – Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Boca Raton, Florida

• 75,000 sq. ft.
• Associated Architect: Schenkel Shultz Architecture
• LEED Gold
• 2007 Project of the Year, Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council of the Urban Land Institute
• 2007 High Honor Award, AIA Palm Beach Chapter
• 2006 Outstanding Design Award, American School & University
• 2006 Education Design Showcase Honorable Mention, College of Planning & Management

The concept for the new Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing was “create a healing space, transforming nursing education from a clinical to a caring model.”  The faculty felt as guardians of healthy environments, they had unique opportunity and an obligation to holistically incorporate qualities enriching the spirit, mind and body for all building occupants.

Commitment to wellbeing went beyond symbolic as the design team pursued the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED® Gold designation, making the College of Nursing the first sustainably certifiable building on the Florida Atlantic University campus.  Top priority to the end users was indoor air quality and faculty participation in design.  Faculty evaluated manufacturers for major finishes, five major furniture systems and analyzed over 20 task chairs.  All finishes specified were low emission; 96% of all furnishings; and 100% of all fabrics specified were Greenguard certified earning the team an innovation point for certification.

Photo Credit: Raymond Martinot