Student Health Center - USC
About:
Name: University of South Carolina Thomson Student Health Center
Location: 1409 Devine St. Columbia, SC 29208
Explanation:
With specific references of architectural articulation, the Student Health Center of the University of South Carolina was influenced by a design theory proposed by Louis Khan – a theory that suggested the separation between served vs. servant. Like the Richard Medical Research Laboratories on the campus grounds of the University of Pennsylvania by Louis Khan, the Student Health Center of the University of South Carolina shares distinctive qualities, which allows the exposure of internal mechanics on the exterior of the building. (81)
Description:
The Student Health Center of the University of South Carolina was designed after a theory introduced by Louis Khan, which suggests a space utilized by an individual (the served) should be separate from the inner mechanics of a building (the servant); like stairways, elevators and air intake channels. While viewing the exterior of the Student Health Center, it is visually understood that there is a separation between served and servant; noticeable on the east and west ends of the building. The vertical geometric shafts imply that this is the separation of the inner mechanics, in this case the stairwells, that is taking place outside of the served spaces. The shaft is constructed primarily of cast-in-place concrete and is cladded with brick, along with floor to ceiling capped window treatments. The building is fundamentally designed in layers; the exterior walls that are covered in light colored sheathing are understood as one layer and the four symmetrical three story high brick walls that are placed before the light colored sheathed walls are understood as another layer. The building highlights its elongated almost recessed windows by using a light material against dark brick that is strong in contrast. The wall separating the servant space from the building itself could be considered a load bearing wall, as the wall is resting directly atop the foundation. Like most modern architecture the roof on the Student Health Center is flat with a small overhang, or eave, that clears the side of the buildings exterior walls by roughly one to two feet. (256)