Colby Sawyer College / Health Sciences Building

New London, New Hampshire

Colby-Sawyer: Schaefer Center for Health Sciences

The Janet Udall Schaefer Center for Health Sciences marks a new era for Colby-Sawyer College, positioning it as a regional leader in Nursing and Health Sciences. The 20,500 square-foot facility, funded in part by a historic gift from the late Janet Udall Schaefer, supports the critical growth of both faculty and student capacity. It enhances the strong Nursing program and also introduces new health sciences programs specifically tailored to address pressing community and regional workforce needs.

Design and the Hands-On Learning Environment

Designed by Bill Wilson to promote engagement, the building seamlessly integrates into the heart of campus with a main entry that connects directly to the East-West pathway. Its exterior aligns with the campus aesthetic, reflecting the vernacular of New Hampshire architecture.

The interior spaces are structured for collaboration and high-fidelity training:

The First Floor is dedicated to student-faculty interaction and focused learning, featuring a café, quiet study areas, and flexible communal spaces.
The Second Floor transforms into a modern hospital environment, allowing for hands-on, simulated learning. It features two high-fidelity simulation suites, an open layout for skills training, exam rooms, and dedicated debriefing spaces.

Collaboration and Sustainable Project Execution

Bill Wilson led an extensive collaboration effort, engaging Colby-Sawyer faculty alongside partners from UMass Boston and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. This ensured the facilities, equipment selection, and pedagogy aligned directly with current industry trends and regional workforce demands. Built on a modular design approach, the Center can be easily adapted to meet the College’s future programmatic needs. The project team successfully navigated the challenges of rising construction costs through close collaboration with the College, prioritizing key elements to maintain the budget. Sustainability was a core goal from the start: the Center is fully electrified and features photovoltaic panels to support renewable energy targets, a commitment that ensures the building is both easily maintained and future-ready.

Gallery:

Project Name:

CSC Health Sciences Building

Client Name & Location:

Colby Sawyer College / New London, New Hampshire

Area

20,000 SF

Occupancy Date:

2021

Features:

Health science teaching program
Home of health sciences
Sustainable design

See articles about this project as well as more information on the following links: