University of South Carolina Center for Health and Well-Being

An oasis of well-being on campus

The University of South Carolina Center for Health and Well-Being beacons students, comforts patients and nourishes occupants with natural light – and transparency. While transparency might not be the first thing that comes to mind in healthcare due to the importance of patient privacy, the building’s architectural team delivered it in thoughtful balance. Settings where confidentiality is critical are situated deeper within the building. More public places line the perimeter, providing natural light, views and an open, welcoming appearance to passersby

Glass is a major design element, sparking interest and invitation. “Thousands of students walk by,” says Jerry Johnson, AIA, LEED AP; Principal, Perkins&Will Chicago. “The idea was to create a space as clear and inviting as possible, particularly where the center faces the path, the library and the fountain, to take advantage of the potential of students responding to and wanting to come into the building.” 

A nature-loving design

The building is intentional about engaging biophilia – our inclination, as humans, to connect to nature. The glassy waiting areas overlook a lush expanse of trees for a palpable soothing effect.

The team designed the building’s long, west façade with a unique, sawtooth effect to expand visual access to a nearby reflecting pool. 

“We wanted to use as much glass as possible,” says Johnson. The architectural team chose Guardian SunGuard® SNX 62/27 “because it’s one of the most neutral, high-performance glass coatings we could find. This neutrality is important because we didn’t want the glass to appear blue or green. We wanted it to be transparent,” he says.

“The façade design is unusual in its great appearance as well as because of the variety of glazing systems,” explains Edmund Williams, Vice President – Operations, Graham-Hodge Associates Inc. “It has radius curtain walls, oversized storefront horizontals, oversized fritted glass, and deep vertical and horizontal face covers intersecting one another at different angles.”

Managing heat while preserving views

The architects specified 2000 square-meter of SNX 62/27 for the building’s curtainwall and ribbon windows. With a visible light transmission of 62 percent, a solar heat gain coefficient of 0.27 and a light-to-solar gain ratio 2.31, the glass permits abundant daylight penetration, creating inviting spaces and increased comfort for occupants while offering clear views and a connection to the outside. 

Thermal performance of the glass was key. “Columbia, South Carolina is known as ‘The Real Southern Hot Spot,’” says Alan Kinder, Regional Architectural Manager, Guardian Glass. “It was essential to help the design team identify a product that reduces solar heat gain while not detracting from the strong connection between the interior and exterior. That connection called for the color neutrality, clarity and high visible light transmission that our triple-silver coated glass delivers.” 

As a result of these selections and other thoughtful design choices, the building achieved LEED Gold® certification, the second highest of four possible ratings for buildings that are considered more healthy and energy-efficient under the USGBC’s green building certification program.