One Constitution Square - Mobility, Efficiency, Wellness.

In the summer of 2011 KSA Interiors was selected by the General Services Administration to help lead their organization in adopting a new model for the collaborative workplace. In keeping with President Obama's Executive Order 13514 and the GSA's Agency Sustainability Plan - KSA helped develop mobile work environments that compressed physical real estate, promoted improved use of space, flattened corporate hierarchy, and maintained the organization's Zero Environmental Footprint Goal.

Primary goals for our team were to reconfigure existing furniture and to compress the traditional working environment to better align with the growing needs of telework and cross-organization communication.

Long term cost savings were a major factor in all project decisions as the life-span of all products and furnishings identified in this project were intended to outlive their proposed location in the One Constitution Square facility. This requirement established a key challenge as all furnishings and materials would need to work not only here at One Constitution Square, but also work seamlessly at the GSA headquarters facility – the final home for these solutions and departments. 

Programming sessions with the various departments within the organization identified a variety of specific needs and requirements for each unique group - with several key themes that were consistent throughout the organization, including:

Compressing and maximizing the use of existing physical space.

Supporting the needs and culture of telework.

Providing increased opportunity for collaboration.

Addressing privacy as a function of specific tasks as opposed to a measure of status.

Promoting individual and organizational wellness.

To meet these challenges, open work spaces were reconfigured and compressed using "benching" and collaborative open plan systems to increase cross pollination of ideas and to provide appropriate space for telework. Hard walled spaces formerly used for private offices were converted into areas for multi-media collaboration, team meetings, and private interactions. Open collaborative areas which adjoin the open office workspace created areas to improve team communication and also encouraged team members to move throughout the facility. Movement throughout the day was one of the final initiatives in promoting a more healthy work environment and team.

The success of these solutions will assist the GSA in adopting a more effective and efficient work environment - reducing the need for physical real estate and improving the productivity, corporate culture, and well being of it's staff.

Project Spotlight: Rappahannock Community College

"Learning happens everywhere"

Community colleges are the heart of the American higher education system, developing the knowledge, skills, and continuing education that puts Americans to work, invigorates job growth, and inspires entrepreneurs. As the need for community colleges grows, and the needs of today’s students change, the methods of instruction and the types of spaces for facilitating learning too have required change.



ALL PHOTOS © ERIC TAYLOR

In 2011 KSA Interiors teamed with NBJ Architecture in helping Rappahannock Community College address this need for change by envisioning the learning environment for two existing campus locations. Following the leadership and vision of school president Dr. Elizabeth Crowther, our team worked with her department heads to develop environments that are devoted to “students first” and adhere to the idea that learning happens everywhere. Gone are segmented spaces, narrow empty corridors, and rigid definitions of space that defined the original facilities. In their place was created a flowing and undulating learning environment inspired by the beauty of the costal river and middle peninsula. Organic shapes soften the delineation between spaces - ideal locations for casual collaborative interactions and inspired discussion areas. Wall graphics, design features, and color schemes reinforce this abstract concept and assist the deliberate space plan which moves students through the space at various paces, narrowing or widening to move students through some areas quickly, or encouraging them to stop and share interactions in collaborative “pools”.




ALL PHOTOS © ERIC TAYLOR

The design team was challenged to develop a single solution which could be universally applied to two nearly identical 70’s era educational facilities. Terrazzo floors and exposed block walls typical of the period were replaced and or revitalized with a warm and engaging palate of colors and materials. The most important aspect of the design solution, however, was to bring learning out of the classroom and into the many adjacent collaborative spaces. At the center of this idea that learning happens everywhere is the development of the “Egg”, a central collaborative area envisioned to allow students to collaborate, dine, engage, or simply hang out. Surrounded by half walls of varying height, shape and configuration, and defined by flexible furnishings also of varying heights and configurations, the delineation of the egg takes on a permeable or transparent perimeter engaging those both within and beyond the space.
   

ALL PHOTOS © ERIC TAYLOR



 

The flexible and engaging solution developed for Rappahannock Community College, led members of the Virginia Community College System to comment after visiting the space, that “this is what our colleges should look like”, and that this was “a space to be proud of”.



ALL PHOTOS © ERIC TAYLOR

KSA truly is proud to have had the opportunity to assist RCC in reimagining the learning environment, and to help promote learning outside of the traditional classroom.



Project Spotlight: Lincoln Park II

Project Spotlight: Lincoln Park II

KSA Interiors worked expeditiously with Dominion Virginia Power to develop new standards for flexible open-office environments, conference areas, and collaborative teaming spaces that would meet Dominion’s evolving needs. The goal was to consolidate Dominion teams that were currently spread out over the region to a single location to enhance productivity and collaboration and to streamline overhead costs. The initiative was popular with Dominion’s employees, as these related groups had never before been co-located.

The design team was initially tasked with researching and evaluating several potential locations in Northern Virginia. After assessing several building test fits, it was determined that Lincoln Park II was the best fit for the new, modern office space. KSA coordinated the logistics and implementation strategies, including the coordination of project phasing as it related to the construction schedule and the client’s target deadlines. The project team also took into consideration branding and marketing strategies and employed benchmarking techniques to ensure that project goals and special design criteria such as sustainability, security, flexibility, and accessibility were met.

To facilitate these goals, KSA Interiors provided a number of professional services including interior design and space planning, as well as move management, planning and execution. The project was extremely fast paced, with only 9 months from inception to completion. Acting as the lead design firm on the project, KSA directed programming efforts, provided coordination of all disciplines, lead the selection and coordination of all FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment), and was responsible for the development of comprehensive construction documents and specifications. KSA also coordinated the construction administration.

Through the course of the design-build process, the project grew in its complexity. The new space required a variety of specialty and custom solutions for data and communications infrastructure as well as comprehensive and exact coordination of various vendors and disciplines. Partnering with a talented and diverse team of architects, engineers, interior designers and brand consultants allowed these complexities to be handled with expert attention and seamless integration. The general contractor was also instrumental in ensuring that the stringent quality control measures, instituted by the design team and the client, were met. The entire design team collaborated to expedite and phase the project resulting in a 10% time savings for Dominion Virginia Power.

The client desired a fresh atmosphere and an engaging design aesthetic within the highly technical space. To promote a professional and lively environment, the design team worked with a combination of earth tones balanced with bright accents. A sophisticated, warm palette of soft neutrals complimented by rusts and greens were carefully paired with transitional furnishings. Following LEED principle, KSA aligned the design of the space with the client’s commitment to sustainability. Fixtures and furnishings were thoughtfully selected with particular attention paid to sustainable elements such as low-emitting materials and adhesives, recycled materials and sustainable resources, as well as employing daylighting practices and energy efficient lighting solutions. Furniture had to be specified that would accommodate the 24/7 operation of the environment. To ensure the best solution, KSA hosted a design charette which engaged the design team and management team in a collaborative deep dive. The final solution resulted in the development of adjustable “cockpit” style pods, each with their own function and operations focus.

 Cameron Stiles, CID, FASID, LEED AP commented that "the new office space is light filled, bright and fresh creating a wonderful work environment for all the associates."

KSA Interiors was recently awarded an Honorable Mention at the Virginia Chapter ASID/Virginia & West Virginia IIDA Chapters 2011 Interior Design Excellence Awards, for Corporate Interiors Over 35,000 SF. The judges commented on successfully meeting the client’s objectives and the use of space planning to achieve the functional goals of the project.

KSA awarded two Interior Design Excellence Awards

Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) 2011

KSA is proud to have competed against a record 96 entries in this year's Interior Design Excellence Awards, hosted by the Virginia chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and Virginia/West Virginia chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).

KSA received recognition for two projects from the Residential Multi-Family Housing, and Contract Corporate over 35,000 SF categories.












1st Place - Residential Multi-Family
Branchlands Retirement Community in Charlottesville, VA.

KSA renovated the Manor House and public areas of the apartment buildings for this age restricted community. The manor House, the gem of the community, was built in the mid 1800's and provides gathering, activities and dining spaces for the residents. The judges commented on the open plan allowing for ease of movement through the rooms.

 










Honorable Mention - Contract Corporate over 35,000 SF
Dominion VA Power - Lincoln Park II in Herndon, VA

KSA collaborated with Dominion VA Power and Wiley|Wilson on the build-out of new corporate offices. The office spaces provided a 24/7 flexible work environment to meet the needs of the client. The project goal was to increase efficiencies and create a more collaborative work environment. The judges commented on successfully meeting the client's objectives and the use of space planning to achieve functional goals.


You can learn more about Branchlands by checking out our Project Spotlight and stay tuned for more on Lincoln Park II coming soon.

VCU Department of Pastoral Care Dedicates Renovated Chapel at VCU

"After three years of planning and building, Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Pastoral Care opened the doors to a newly renovated chapel at the VCU Medical Center." KSA had the pleasure of working with the multi-disciplined committee and colleagues from our industry on this beautiful project.

“Today is an absolute celebration,” said Ann Charlescraft, M.Ed., manager of Bereavement Services for the VCU Medical Center. “This is a chapel for the whole community, it was important for us to do it together, support it together and create it together.”

Opening with the Main Hospital in 1981, the modestly decorated chapel remained untouched until 2007, when a committee made up of 15 people from multiple disciplines, cultures and faiths began working on renovations. Together they created the design direction and wrote the following proposal to the hospital administration:

“Caring for spiritual needs of patients, families and staff is a collective and community endeavor, thus participation both within and without the hospital provides for a sense of belonging, compassionate care and connection with something or someone greater than self or system. This is an opportunity for embracing and enhancing the ‘soul’ of our institution.”


Support for the new chapel came from throughout the school and community, and the Department of Pastoral Care decided to include a chapel renovation donor wall outside the new chapel.


The renovated chapel provides comfortable space for all religious and spiritual needs. Rounded walls, adaptable seating and a lack of religious icons offer a place for the whole community.


The opening ceremony highlighted a variety of faiths through readings of sacred passages from various books. Following a prayer of dedication, Ken Faulkner, director of Pastoral Care, officially opened the space to all."

Today, we invite you to enjoy this article (above) and video (below) courtesy of the VCU Office of Communications and Public Relations.
 

 

Stay tuned for the upcoming Project Spotlight with more details on this special project!



Project Spotlight! Lexington Court Rehabilitation & Healthcare

“Imagine a spa-like rehabilitation center where every patient is treated with kindness and skill, and families find support and understanding.” This is the culture reflected in the newly renovated Lexington Court Rehabilitation & Healthcare facility, a senior living community committed to caring for and about its residents.

Creating the “spa” atmosphere in the 30-year-old Lexington Court facility required major renovations to the lobby and reception area, rehabilitative spaces, dining and recreational rooms, and resident rooms.

3D Conceptual Rendering - KSA Interiors

The KSA Interiors design team began the initial phase of this project with a comprehensive feasibility study for the redesign of the community. The key objective of the project was to convert 66 semi-private resident rooms into 23 private rooms and 10 semi-private rooms. The upgraded rooms required built-in storage and the option to have adjacent personal bathrooms. Included in the study were the location of nurses’ stations, bathing and spa areas, visitor lounges, and dining and food service areas to make them convenient to the residents. New finishes, lighting, furnishings, and accessibility hardware were required throughout the facility. During the study, the KSA Interiors design team used 3D visualizations to ensure the project design objectives were met.

Entrance Reception - Actual Photo

The entrance lobby of Lexington Court was renovated to create an upscale impression of the community and increase resident safety. The Owner's objectives were to rearrange the orientation of the entrance to create an accessible pathway for residents and provide shared space for meeting areas and admissions. The design has positively impacted the residents and their families by providing an enhanced quality of life and an increased sense of security. The common areas include a living room, beauty shop, dining room, activity kitchen, and conference room which also serve as a game and movie screening room for residents and families.

Skylights and indirect lighting fixtures were located along resident corridors and public areas to provide a greater level of illumination yet are sensitive to the glare issues of aging residents. The photographic artwork throughout the building features nature scenes, many taken by local artists of Virginia of scenes such as the Blue Ridge Mountains. A cohesive signage design helps "way finding" and provides a sense of continuity and cohesive message throughout the building.

Private Resident Room

Lexington Court’s rehabilitation wing was renovated to provide rooms with more accessible bathrooms and semi-private rooms that could transition easily into private rooms. Designing rooms that could transform from private to semi-private presented the challenge of creating a headwall that could serve both. The KSA Interiors team designed a custom unified headwall on which one bed could be placed for private rooms, and two beds could comfortably fit for semi-private rooms.

Rehabilitation Gym

Lexington Court's new rehab gym was built with state-of-the-art exercise and specially- designed equipment for physical therapy; a kitchen, laundry room, faux entryway with steps, and Mercedes-Benz are all situated in the gym to help patients become reacquainted with the "real-world" scenarios they would find at their own homes and public environments.

"The intent was to develop a spa-like atmosphere and market it to a new clientele: the rehab patient who may only be coming in for a couple weeks or months and desires higher- end accommodations and service," said Cameron Stiles, a principal at KSA Interiors. "In the process, though, by updating the shared areas, I think we enhanced the quality of life for everyone at Lexington Court including long-term residents and staff."

Visitor Lounge & Adjacent Office

Since the completion of these renovations, KSA's design team has had the pleasure of working with the Owner on their other communities in Virginia. Our team truly appreciates the collaborative relationships we have with our clients as it always results in the optimal solution for their communities.

For more information on our team's experience in Senior Living and Continuing Care Retirement Community environments, email info@ksainteriors.com or call our Marketing Department directly at 804-527-0131 x 104.

Project Spotlight! The Learning Commons at VCU Cabell Library

“Learning doesn’t just happen in classrooms; learning also occurs outside the lecture hall. New strategies for enabling learning and accommodating the multiple demands on student time have led to rethinking the use, design, and location of learning spaces.” - EDUCAUSE.edu

Embracing the demand for such critical changes in new learning environments, the VCU Cabell Library Team designed the Learning Commons to transform the second floor of the existing library into a destination for students to come together to collaborate, learn, and thrive. 

The entrance to the Learning Commons provides a hub for students to gather in a “home-like” environment that is enhanced with a hearth, flat digital screens, and special lighting features. The intimate, yet open feel was accomplished with lowered ceilings, rich colors, and lounge seating. 

The Learning Commons entrance is surrounded by a variety of group and individual seating options with flexible furniture that supports the transformation of group activities into break-out space. Private group study rooms are lined with white boards and mobile easels to support team learning. Computer access to data and power is implemented throughout the Learning Commons to allow for immediate workspace set-up. 


Though the library and learning commons combined encompass a massive amount of space, each workspace option maintains a sense of privacy. To accomplish this, the KSA design team used workstation screens, carpet patterning, and varied heights of seating and tables. In high traffic areas, carpet pathways and café height tables were used to allow students less distraction from passers by.

As an integral part of the Learning Commons, the multipurpose room was designed to serve as a multi-functional classroom and computer environment with integrated technology. The multipurpose room furniture was selected to allow for flexible reconfigurations to adapt the room for lectures and assemblies or to accommodate open group study. The instructional configuration of the space required tables that would support groups of four students sharing a computer while maintaining a clear line of sight to the instructor. The KSA design team accomplished this by having computers nested on mobile carts that could be rolled away so the space could be easily changed for other activities. Implementing the principle of “form follows function,” the KSA design team used a polygon shaped room to enhance the line of sight between the students and the instructors. 


 To avoid confusion when navigating the Commons, signage and wayfinding were developed using angles, color separation, and specialty light fixtures that served as landmarks. A visual wayfinding beacon was created at the Learning Commons entrance hub. The wayfinding elements vary throughout the remainder of the Commons so students can distinguish the type of group or individual workplace options available to them.

As showcased in this project, KSA Interiors’ design team works with you from concept to completion of your project. Throughout our projects, KSA provides computer generated visual images to ensure the finished project is everything you envisioned and more.  We are proud to say the Learning Commons project has been a huge success based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the library staff and the students who are enjoying their new collaborative learning space! 

We invite you to visit VCU Cabell Learning Commons website to learn more and stay updated on coming events! You can also become a Fan of the VCU James Branch Cabell Library on Facebook.

Project Spotlight! MWV Foundry Park Signage & Wayfinding Graphics

When making the decision to move their headquarters to Richmond, Virginia, of primary concern for MWV, a Fortune 500 company, was creating an environment that reflected their corporate strategy of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability; as well as emphasizing and promoting their corporate brand identity. KSA Interiors' challenge was to help MWV (MeadWestvaco Corporation) shape their own brand and to think of their new headquarters as the “package” in which they are delivered to the world.

Partnering with a talented and diverse project team of architects, engineers, interior designers, and brand consultants, it was the goal of our corporate interiors design team to provide graphics and signage solutions that would enhance and emphasize the project team’s vision. In collaboration with the project’s sustainability mission, all products specified for signage and wayfinding were selected based on their impact on sustainable initiatives and the goals of the project.

Design solutions that best represent the success of our efforts to “package” our client into their new facility included:



Photo by Christopher Good

The development of the logo, brand, and signage for building amenities such as the ‘Riverview Café,’ ‘Ironworks Fitness,’ and ‘Foundry Perk.’ Each brand was developed by our graphics and signage design team to call attention to the historical building site, located adjacent to the Civil War era Tredegar Ironworks & Foundry.

Design elements and finishes were coordinated to emphasize the facility’s more dramatic interior finishes such as the brand-specific blue that was back-painted on glass with aluminum and polished steel features.



Photo by Christopher Good

Parking garage wayfinding graphics were designed to emphasize the “package” concept by indicating each floor level with an over-sized bar code graphic.



Photo by Christopher Good

Internal stairway wayfinding graphics were designed to indicate each floor level in bold, over-sized graphics. Each floor number is translated into the twelve languages prominent in countries where MWV has operations.




Photo by Christopher Good

Also in the internal stairways are super-sized accent graphics that serve as wayfinding markers. These graphics fold along the various wall surfaces mimicking nearby lighting solutions and other “folded” design elements in the building’s design.



Photo by Christopher Good

Successful in terms of their functionality and simplicity were the nearly 100 different sign types and nearly 2,000 individual signs specified across the facilities site, parking structure, and interior. These included: exterior pylons, parking, wayfinding and cautionary signage; interior room identifications, wayfinding graphics, flag mounted iconographic symbols, egress and code related signage; and the client’s logo in various prominent locations throughout the facility and site.


KSA Interiors recently received an Interior Design Excellence Award in the Custom category for the Signage and Wayfinding Graphics Package for the new MWV Foundry Park Headquarters. The judges from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) commented on how well the signage package supported the branded color scheme and design package for the facility. The 2010 Interior Design Excellence Award was presented to Christopher Good (CID, ASID, LEED AP), Sara Lasseter (CID, ASID, SEGD, LEED AP), and Erin Riggan (Allied Member ASID, LEED AP) with KSA Interiors in Glen Allen, VA.

The greatest measure of the success for our collaborative team is in the knowledge that each signage and graphics application enhances the surrounding design elements developed by our design team partners. The final design solution remains true to the beauty of the new facility as well as the corporate mission of our client.

Project Spotlight! Branchlands Retirement Community

A true compliment to the beauty and history of Charlottesville, Virginia, Branchlands Retirement Community mirrors the appearance of a historic plantation or a high-end hospitality resort. This beautiful independent-living retirement community is located on 26 landscaped acres that provide walking paths, a lake, flower gardens, and a fishing pond for residents and visitors.



Photo by Heather Croy

 "I felt a sense of history when I first walked through the doors,” said Mary Katherine Crouch, ASID, LEED AP, Project Manager, and Interior Designer for this project. The refurbished “Manor House” was built circa 1860. Over the years, the house has been enlarged, extended, and renovated as it was home to several Virginia families. The Catholic Church of the Incarnation owned the Manor House from the 1930’s to 1980 during which it served as the Holy Comforter School, a residence for nuns, and later as a rectory for housing priests.  In 1980, the Manor House and surrounding acreage was purchased and age-restricted apartments were constructed within the two buildings adjacent to the Manor House. In 2008, the current owner purchased the community and hired KSA Interiors to bring life back to this now stunning community.



Photo by Philip Beaurline

 The Manor House required refurbishing to refresh the existing appearance of the interiors. New finishes and lighting were incorporated throughout. Focus was placed on the dining rooms, movie and exercise room, parlor, and offices located in the Manor House which serves as the community center and provides administrative offices. Two adjacent apartment buildings were also renovated to accommodate resident rooms and additional offices.

The ultimate goal of our client was to maintain the original grandeur and traditional core of the Manor House while providing an environment with accessible options appropriate for the everyday lives of its senior residents.

With finishes and lighting complete, KSA's design team embarked on staging the Manor House for the Grand Re-Opening. To achieve the desired results with a modest budget, KSA Interiors' team reused existing furniture and accessories available from the Manor House. The furniture pieces were refurbished and placed strategically in different settings throughout the Manor House, and the remaining budget was used to repair or replace artwork and purchase complimentary accessories. The intended appearance was as cohesive, classic, and beautiful as the residents and staff had imagined.

Submitted by
KSA Interiors

Project Spotlight! Meadowdale Library

Like libraries across the country, Meadowdale Library was striving to evolve with the changing needs of its patrons. In order to ensure Meadowdale’s relevance in the digital age, Chesterfield County moved forward on the design and construction of a new 20,000 square foot building that would meet twenty-first century demands. An immediate success, and an Interior Design Excellence Award winner in 2009, the new library has become a gathering place for county residents by promoting its multi-faceted services and resources.

Photo courtesy of Richard Fitts

The design objectives for this project were to create an inspiring and warm entrance to the library, provide large and open meeting spaces, craft peaceful areas for reading and studying, provide a defined children’s reading and story-time space, and to shape a digital environment by providing ample access to computers and other technological media.

Described as a “bright new space” by the Richmond Times Dispatch, Meadowdale Library is being celebrated by county officials, patrons, librarians, and library staff throughout the region. The essence of the library, as well as the color palette used, embraces the natural outdoors and makes the best use of natural light throughout the entire space. A positive effect of two-story windows and skylights, the library’s environment feels spacious, yet peaceful, especially in reading and study areas.

Photo courtesy of Richard Fitts

The children’s section of the library was designed to be a focal point with its large, plush mushroom cushions, child-sized activity tables, and brightly colored flooring. There is plenty of open space for story time for parents and children alike to enjoy.

Newly released books are showcased throughout the library on cylindrical shelving which is affixed to the library’s support columns. By utilizing innovative applications in shelving and casework, the library is able to offer additional volumes of reading material to its patrons. The library shelf space that formerly held 78,000 volumes now allows 90,000 volumes to be perused by all patrons.

Photo courtesy of Richard Fitts

  Computer workstations and laptop plug-ins are found in abundance throughout all areas of the library. The library meeting room also has a number of plug-ins to create a lab environment, as the library is often used as a satellite educational space.

The collaborative effort between Chesterfield County, Meadowdale Library's decision makers, the architect (The Design Collaborative), the interior designer (KSA Interiors), and most importantly, the end-users, produced a building that will meet Meadowdale Library’s needs today and for many years to come.

Meadowdale Library is very proud of their new home and welcomes everyone to visit and experience its interactive environment for learning, research, discovery, and of course, fun!

Submitted by
KSA Interiors

Project Spotlight! Farmville Public Library

To make the vision for this project a reality, the Farmville town council, board of supervisors, architect, and design firm successfully collaborated to create this spectacular new public library for the community. KSA Interiors worked closely with the architect and client to achieve all of the following objectives to their fullest potential and beyond.

The project design objectives were to achieve a creatively designed children’s reading and interaction area, create a sophisticated space for adults to read and relax, have access to a combination of large and small meeting spaces, enhance public access to technology with the addition of computer workstations, and to increase shelving and displays to hold the vast volumes of books, periodicals, and references.



Photo by Al Wekelo

 The Farmville Herald wrote that the unique children’s section would, “feel at home in Disneyland (and) has an Alice In Wonderland-esque "rabbit hole" entrance for kids to crawl through from the main library space, in addition to a more traditional, though highly decorative, doorway.” As children lounge and play in the comfortable space, they are encouraged to gaze up at the ceiling upon which clouds have been dreamily painted. Upon the walls surrounding the area are colorful graphics and abstractly shaped mirrors that entice the eye and inspire the mind.



Photo by Al Wekelo

 The design team also created a refined area for adult patrons to enjoy. On one side of the library there is an electric fireplace around which the entire wall is finished in Buckingham slate from floor to ceiling. Surrounding the warm hearth of the fireplace are lounging sofas and chairs.

On the opposite side of the library lives a panoramic glass-walled lakeside view, with a patio by the lake. In addition to giving patrons a window to the outside world, this glass wall invites natural light into the space, adding warmth and environmentally sound value to the new venue.

For patrons who wish to read, study, or research in peace and quiet, there are small study rooms to accommodate their needs. A large community room, able to seat up to 50 people, is also a main feature of the library. This room has a separate entrance so it may be used after hours, and has a service kitchen that may be used for catered events.



Photo by Al Wekelo

 The library was in need of additional space to hold their eclectic and growing book collection. The renovations have allowed the space to hold 20,000 plus items in the 19,000 square feet of the new library. Also in pursuit of achieving the objective to enhance public access to technology, a computer center with 20 new computers was added to the facility. The goal of this space was to provide an ideal networking environment for high-school and college students from nearby educational institutions.

As the Farmville Herald put it, “The new ‘new public library’ may not end up on Broadway, but it’s expected to top the charts among Virginia libraries.”

Submitted by
KSA Interiors

Project Spotlight! John Tyler Community College

KSA Interiors had the pleasure of working with John Tyler Community College on a achieving their mission to “provide quality educational opportunities that inspire student success and community vitality.” In 2009, the Midlothian, Virginia Campus was in need of an additional facility to assist in supporting this mission

Completed in August 2009, the new 61,000 square foot educational facility provides academic classrooms, teaching laboratories, faculty and staff offices, a learning resource center, student lounge centers for studying and socializing, a campus bookstore (that also sells merchandise and apparel), and the campus library.

KSA's design team communicated consistently with the client to understand their need for a range of spaces that would foster student learning as well as allow the faculty and staff to have a functional working space on their campus. Working closely with JTCC and the architectural firm, sustainable principles were used in order to achieve LEED Silver certification.



Photo by Philip Beaurline

 Upon entering the facility, students can easily access the large Student Lounge that remains open for studying, group meetings, dining, and socializing. The lounge space is equipped with movable tables to seat small or large groups, movable lounge chairs, three flat screen monitors, upon which university news may be streamed and news channels may be viewed, and a central counter area with trash and recycling receptacles. Adjacent to the lounge is the Campus Bookstore which is conveniently located for students to make their textbook and college apparel purchases.



Photo by Philip Beaurline

 As some courses offered in the facility require one-on-one student/teacher interaction, the college requested smaller classroom options to allow for an intimate learning environment. The building also contains a larger multi-purpose room that can be used for symposiums and conference meetings.




Photo by Philip Beaurline

 The teaching laboratories and preparation rooms are equipped for biology, anatomy, chemistry, and natural sciences instruction. These laboratories contain custom storage for each subject, including skeletal model stands, chemistry tube drying boards, and lockable cabinetry on the back wall of each lab classroom for the security of high value microscopes and other scientific models.



Photo by Philip Beaurline

 The new contemporary library was designed to be utilized by students, faculty, and staff throughout the campus. The library includes an abundance of computer stations, surrounding computer labs (for classroom and additional workstation use), a technology help desk, information and circulation desks, collaborative tables and conference rooms for private and group study, and a vast selection of books and periodicals.

The community college has been able to increase the number of students attending their campus due to the addition of classroom, lab, and library space, as well as market to a larger selection of prospective students interested in the courses offered in the facility.

Submitted by
KSA Interiors