Project Description

At this particular college, we believe that the self-governed America envisioned by the Founders of the United States of America is sustained by people whose moral and intellectual constitution is such that the greatest degree of human flourishing is made possible. Thus, our vision for the Center is that it will actively and vigorously engage scholars, students, and the public alike in serious, sustained examination of the topics of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, innovation, religious liberty, and ethics. The Center will promote the exploration of these topics via research, symposia, publications, and lectures.

While we are committed to examining the intellectual, moral, and practical cases for the principles of a free society, we will take great pains to ensure that the Center does not impinge on academic freedom. Despite the fact that we plan to engage a variety of external funding sources in the mission and work of the Center, we will create an organizational culture that embraces competing points of view and, in fact, encourages the “marketplace of ideas.” We will vehemently support freedom of conscience and expression, and the scholarship that is at the heart of the Center’s mission will promote our belief that competition among various ideas is essential to a free society.

Design Process

The fundamentals of free enterprise were comprehensively explored to determine how the Free Enterprise Center can help cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit through education, innovation, and collaboration. The process of uncovering the best design ecosystem for the Free Enterprise Center began with a charrette - an intensive design workshop where stakeholders gathered to set goals and identify strategies for achieving the desired outcomes for the project. The charrette involved key personnel from the architect and design professionals, the regional entrepreneurial community, and the consultant team. During the charrette process we explored and defined issues, brainstormed concepts, and refined the conceptual design based upon the input of the key stakeholders. This exploratory charrette further developed the relationship between, education, innovation and collaboration and was established into a series of schematic concepts.

The Free Enterprise Center addresses the needs of 21st century innovation economy while preserving the religious and ethical precepts on which the college is centered. These paramount foundations reinforce the values of knowledge and virtue that create a strong moral foundation for students, faculty, and the community alike.

An adjacency study aided in systematically organizing the facility and translated into the production of a series of principles for the building massing and design. The premise of the building is a distinct interconnection between creative productive space [student] and open participatory space [community].

Schematic Organization

When an idea is conceived, it is tested and explored until a refined idea has evolved. Innovation cannot exist without collaboration. The massing and organization for the Free Enterprise Center embodies the Design Principles at an architectural focus. While cognizant of its landmark location on campus, the building organization balances the idea of self/others.

The proposed building massing and organization for the Free Enterprise Center embodies the Design Principles at an architectural scale and reinforces these spatial relationships while expanding them throughout the building.

Building Overview

The 20,750 square foot Free Enterprise Center will house the Institute for Religious Liberty as well as the College’s Ethical Leadership Program. In addition, the building will have classrooms, faculty and Fellows’ offices, a 500-seat auditorium, and dedicated collaboration spaces that foster a sense of community among entrepreneurs and support entrepreneurship education, venture acceleration, and business incubation. We anticipate serving an annual total of 2,000 students; 1,000 community members; and, approximately 20 subject matter experts.

Building Features

The juxtaposition of form and materials create a balanced dialogue of transformation. The internally focused Innovation block is monumental in nature and reminiscent of a factory building. The personalized Collaboration labs are of a smaller scale and create a dialogue with the city beyond. The balance of these elements serve as a modern interpretation of a “factory of ideas” that reflects on its past while looking towards the future. The 20,250 square foot Factory of Ideas serves as a pivotal piece of architecture that addresses the campus in its relation to the physical and spiritual heart of campus. The ground floor houses public amenities including a 500 seat auditorium, cafe, Institute for Religious Liberty, and an Ethical Leadership Studies Program. The second floor is home to Fellows’ offices that overlook the expansive atrium, labs, and glazed breakout pods promote group study and experiential learning.

A large glass atrium serves as a connector between the Collaboration and Innovation blocks. While serving as a visual break between the two contrasting elements, the architecture seamlessly links the outdoors and community beyond creating an enlightened experience for students and faculty alike. Reminiscent of a factory, the Free Enterprise Center design serves as a Factory of Ideas and reinforces the concepts of experiential learning.