Doane University, Chab Weyers Education and Hixson-Lied Art Building
This $11 million three-story facility was completed in 2007 and serves as the home of Doane University’s nationally recognized education and art programs. Our primary design challenges were to:
- Design a contemporary classroom building while respecting the context of the historic campus of Nebraska’s oldest liberal arts university.
- Provide an architectural interpretation of the art and education curriculums offered within the building.
- Create subtle separation while allowing interaction between the two academic programs that share the facility.
A blend of modern and historic is achieved through use of materials, textures and tones; the different blends of colors and textures of brick relate to the art department and its strong pottery course offerings. The main entrance façade from a previous campus facility, the Whitin Art Building, was removed and integrated. Its arched portico is a historic detail repeated throughout campus.
In the interior spaces, floor-to-ceiling glass is used in the lobby to visually connect the interior with the scenic exterior. A dynamic, glass-enclosed student lounge fosters social interaction and serves as a “display case” for the activities inside. The space also serves as a welcome area for events held in an adjacent classroom/conference space that can hold 300 guests. The lower level houses the Farley Korff Welcome Center, home to Doane’s admissions office and an outdoor plaza overlooking Miller Pond.
The art department features abundant glass and natural light with classrooms, studios, and kiln and mixing rooms. Meanwhile, the education portion of the building has a more traditional appearance. It houses simulated K-12 teaching environments as well as spaces for instruction, presentations, and group and individual study.
Stats and Results
| Location | Crete, Nebraska |
| Square Feet | 57,714 |
