Southern College of Optometry to break ground on new academic building
Southern College of Optometry in Tennessee, US is set to break ground on a $9.4 million academic building on 11 May 2012.
The new facility, encompassing a single floor, has been designed by Memphis-based Formus Incorporation and will be developed by Memphis's Linkous Construction. It will offer an additional 23,016 square feet of classroom facilities and advanced instructional space on the large concrete patio space behind the 11-level tower of the college. The entire space will possess a seat capacity of 620 and can be used as one spacious room. It can also be segregated into smaller classrooms of varied configurations. An atrium and grand hall will serve as a link between the new facility and the present tower of the College.
The rooms will be equipped with advanced digital audio and video equipment sporting large screens to help in conducting slide projection and lectures. The desks will incorporate microphones, as well as electrical outlets for computers. There will also be provisions to record lectures for future reference.
The project will be partly financed through a five-year, $4 million capital campaign. The campaign has already raised a sum of $1 million in gifts and pledges. Investments and cost-saving measures during the five-year period will contribute for the remaining project funds. Construction work is due for completion within 15 months with the new facility expected to open by August 2013.
