Educational Opportunity Center

The mission of Educational Opportunity Center is to provide an education with innovative academic programs leading to higher education as well as vocational training leading to gainful employment and economic self-sufficiency. As such its location at this urban site is particularly appropriate. It is critical that this project integrate the site, the local context and the Downtown Campus, while incorporating and reflecting the Educational Opportunity Center mission and vision.

The functional needs of the building are varied, needing to accommodate the Educational Opportunity Center, the Bethel Head Start program and the lobby connection to the adjacent M. Wile building. The design solution is a 4-story building with a mechanical penthouse which is visually integrated into the façade design. It is connected to the existing M. Wile building with a transparent largely glass enclosed lobby. The Head Start program is located in a 1-story volume on the south end of the building. The design of new facility will help students feel that the University at Buffalo academic journey is an attainable opportunity. Academic spaces are designed to be accessible and welcoming and so that the students would see and be seen by faculty and staff as they move through and around the building.

The building is targeting LEED Gold certification and will be a model of sustainable construction.

For more information about this project contact Grace N. Chiang, AIA, NCARB: gnc@holt.com