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KNOLL WORKPLACE RESEARCH

Project Case Study: Education

University of PortlandClark Library, Portland, OR

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University of Portland is an independent, four-year Roman Catholic university.

Looking to support the digital natives on campus today and tomorrow, as well as create a highly collaborative student working and learning environment, University of Portland took on the task of modernizing an outdated library building.

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PresenterPresentation NotesThe University of Portland is an independent, four-year Roman Catholic university in Portland, Oregon, with 320 faculty members serving nearly 4,000 students.

At the University of Portland, administrators and library staff sought to create a space to serve the digital natives of Generation Y, which requires not only state-of-the-art technology, but also an environment that supports the highly collaborative way students work and learn today.

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Project OverviewDrivers• Modernize dated facility • Design environment that is equally

commons and resource center • Support current technology and

future updates • Increase library usage by students

and faculty • Present a more open and inviting

ambiance • Support collaborative learning • Accommodate existing collections and

new digital labs • Incorporate sustainability

Work Tables3

PresenterPresentation NotesWhen budget constraints deemed construction of a new building impossible, library officials were forced to modernize the existing facility, a dark, dated, uninviting space that was highly underutilized and full of severe constraints.

Armed with market intelligence and a wish list compiled from years of study, the dean of the library, enlisted a team to create the vibrant information and student commons she envisioned.

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Project OverviewScope• 56,000 square feet

— Digital Lab — Multi-purpose classroom / event space — Reading Room— 19 group individual study rooms— 20 staff offices

• 350 primary seats • 354 activity seats

Students no longer have to go to the library. They want to go because it’s the place to be. “ ”

PresenterPresentation NotesWhen budget constraints deemed construction of a new building impossible, library officials were forced to modernize the existing facility, a dark, dated, uninviting space that was highly underutilized and full of severe constraints.

Armed with market intelligence and a wish list compiled from years of study, the dean of the library, enlisted a team to create the vibrant information and student commons she envisioned.

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Bold Colors and State-of-the-art Technology Appeal to the College Demographic.

Resource Center

Previous Library

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PresenterPresentation NotesTo draw in the 18 to 23-year-olds and to help overcome the many obstacles they faced in modernizing a dated building, designers chose an unexpected color scheme. A bold palette was a risky departure for a relatively conservative school steeped in tradition and “warm and woody, den-like” interiors.  Vibrant tones of lime green and tomato red star amid accents of warm gray, brown and soft blue, a combination designers felt carried a timeless appeal that would gracefully adapt to the building’s mid-century bones.

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The Space Emphasizes Openness and Connectivity Throughout.

Main Level Floor Plan

Collaboration areas are equipped with a variety of chair and table styles, for flexibility and ease of reconfiguration by students

Both open and closed meeting spaces adapt to varied group sizes and activities

Social spaces aredesigned to be mobile,flexible and convertible

Spaces are zonal, withtechnology forcollaboration and learning

PresenterPresentation NotesTo harness more natural light into the main and upper floors, architects removed interior walls and added a skylight that floods a new stairwell and much of the interior with light. Next, to accommodate the many and varied activities the library was to house, planners organized the library’s three floors by sound and activity level:

The spacious main floor, with its soaring atrium and rows of open tables, is an interactive, public space with the bustling atmosphere of a commons area. It features group study areas, collaboration zones, staffed library service points and the library’s largest concentration of technology.

Designated an area of extreme quiet, the lower level basement provides a series of refuge spaces appropriate for traditional library functions of quiet study and research while the upper level floor houses academic programs and provides a classroom, digital lab, meeting room, reading room and study rooms.

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Activity Zones with Flexible Meeting Spaces Allow for Different Uses.

Multi-Purpose ClassroomClassroom

Private Study Rooms

Reading Room7© 2014 Knoll Inc.

PresenterPresentation NotesThe space is zonal with technology leading the opportunities for collaboration and learning. Some of the collaborative areas are technical in nature, with monitors, equipment and furniture that supports that. Other collaborative areas are configured with moveable tables and chairs, providing for simple and quick rearrangements as curriculum or activities change.

Collaborative study rooms are equipped with technology and communication tools to support knowledge transfer.

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Table-based Solutions Offer Flexibility to House Technology and Establish a Cohesive Aesthetic.

Private Study Room8© 2014 Knoll Inc.

PresenterPresentation NotesA table-based solution in multiple forms provides superior flexibility, connectivity, increased seating density and a cohesive aesthetic throughout the space.

Antenna Big Table with the trough down the middle solved the University’s cords and cable issue and offered an efficient and cost effective way for students to share and collaborate in real time. Rows of Knoll Antenna tables and Fence make up the resource area on the main floor, easily accommodating technology and power.

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A Variety of Seating Types and Arrangements Provide for Focus and Team-based Work.

Basement Level Refuge Spaces9© 2014 Knoll Inc.

PresenterPresentation NotesAlong with the many collaborative areas, the University wanted to maintain traditional library functions of quiet study. Refuge spaces, away from the active Main Floor, are located on the Basement Level, a designated quiet area.

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Increased Access to Natural Daylight Offers a More Appealing Environment to Students.

Informal Study Area10© 2014 Knoll Inc.

PresenterPresentation NotesDelivering an environment with attention to sustainable products and practices was a high priority not only for library planners and school administrators, but for students as well, who cited green concerns in the needs assessments conducted by library staff prior to design.

The updated space incorporated many sustainable materials and methods in its renovation. Additional natural daylight and user-based power access in tables have also produced significant power savings

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Project OverviewOutcomes• Patronage of library up more than 80%

(from 1,200 to over 2,000 per day) • Study rooms booked around the clock • Hours expanded to 2:00am by request of

student government • Increased seating from 400 to 700 without

adding square footage • New venue for campus events created • Significant savings in power expense • Environment that is equally study and

social space • Candidate for LEED silver award

Study Area

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PresenterPresentation NotesWhile planners took a big gamble on creating a contemporary space that was such a departure from campus tradition, their risk really paid off. + Patronage is up more than 80% and all 19 study rooms are booked around the clock. + Less than four months after opening, library hours were expanded to nearly 24/7 at the request of student government. + A well-equipped conference room does dual duty as a reception space, creating an additional venue for small events available to other campus organizations. + The library is currently a candidate for LEED silver designation.+ The library’s newfound popularity leaves little doubt that the team achieved its vision of creating an appealing environment supported with up-to-date technology that is equally student commons/hang out area, as well as a place to research, study and learn.

KNOLL PRODUCTS + Tables: Antenna Big Table, Antenna Freestanding Tables, Dividends Horizon X Base Table + Task Seating: Generation by Knoll, MultiGeneration by Knoll, Regeneration by Knoll, Life + Accessories: Sapper Double Monitor Arms, T-Light + Lounge Seating: Womb Chair, Saarinen Executive Arm Chair + Knoll Textiles: Icon, Classic Boucle, Century, Forza

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For more information on the University of Portland, Clark Library or other case studies, visit knoll.com/research

https://www.knoll.com/knollnewsdetail/university-of-portland-clark-library

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Knoll Education

MikeAmbrosinoKnoll RegionalDirector

Carol HawksKnoll Healthcare +Higher EducationManager

Carol CraneKnoll Vice President Education +Healthcare

Mike is the Regional Director for the Florida Region and the Caribbean. He is responsible for leading the Knoll Constellation sales team. His focus is to help his team continually develop strategies that ensure client experience excellence.

Mike has broad knowledge of the education and furniture manufacturing industry. Due to Mike’s excellent communication and wide-ranging experience developing strategies -- he is suited to drive intricate projects tosuccess.

Carol has been with Knoll for thirty years, in her current role as Vice President of Education and Healthcare, she is responsible for directing Education and Healthcare sales and marketing effortsnationally.She and her team of Managers work directly with clients to provide high quality, cost effective solutions that help institutions leverage their space to solve challenges such as attracting, retaining students and faculty, and creating effective learning environments.

Focused on assisting education institutions create effective, rewarding, and inspiring environments to meet the evolving needs of learners and educators. Carol has served the education industry since 2004. She is based in Miami and supports education clients in the State of Florida and the Caribbean.

Knoll Point Of Contact: chawks@knoll.com Mobile: 786.417.8043

mailto:chawks@knoll.com

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Thank You

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Slide Number 1Slide Number 2Project OverviewProject OverviewBold Colors and State-of-the-art Technology Appeal to the College Demographic.The Space Emphasizes Openness and Connectivity Throughout.Activity Zones with Flexible Meeting Spaces Allow for Different Uses.Table-based Solutions Offer Flexibility to House Technology and Establish a Cohesive Aesthetic. A Variety of Seating Types and Arrangements Provide for Focus and Team-based Work.Increased Access to Natural Daylight Offers a More Appealing Environment to Students.Project OverviewSlide Number 12Knoll Education Thank YouSlide Number 15