“As CHHS is the first WMU facility on the new campus, it will play a key role in setting the standard for future WMU facilities constructed on this campus,” said Chris Purdy, AIA NCARB, of SmithGroup, Inc., who served as the project manager for the new building. “For this reason, masonry was chosen as the principle exterior material because of its inherent qualities: longevity and monumentality.”
According to the architect, the brick and Mankato Kasota limestone were carefully selected to reinforce the College of Health and Human Services’ goal that the design be warm and inviting. “The brick was chosen because its pattern has frequently recurring yellow hues that relate directly with the yellow and buff colors of the Mankato stone,” he added.