2.2 Communication Center

Figure 2 Peers

Figure 10.2. Two individuals collaborate in the Communication Center.

Our multimodal Communication Center occupies approximately 3,000 square feet of the new Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons (220,000 square feet located in the middle of campus). Designed as a LEED[3] Platinum building, Clough Commons was started in 2007, with the building opening in September 2011. These are three of our important spaces (and the related equipment) in the Clough Commons Communication Center:

  • Reconfigurable tutoring space, including furniture and movable white board partitions, Smart Boards, a production worktable, high-end computer workstations, a 3D printer, and a plotter printer (see figure 10.2).
  • Meeting rooms for small-group and private conferences, which also have video capture and playback equipment to practice presentations.
  • Four formal rehearsal studios (each reflecting a different workplace style, from IBM to Google) and three informal rehearsal studios, each featuring video capture and playback equipment, monitors, whiteboards, conference tables and chairs, and adjustable lighting.

Note

[3]LEED™ is an internationally recognized green building program that “provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.” Qualification for LEED designations includes minimizing “the impact on ecosystems and water resources”; promoting “smarter use of water, inside and out; reducing potable water consumption”; promoting “better building energy performance through innovative strategies”; encouraging “sustainable building materials and reducing waste”; and promoting “better indoor air quality and access to daylight and views.” For further information, see U.S. Green Building Council, http://www.usgbc.org/leed

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