University of Alabama, Birmingham

UAB’s School of Medicine supports the university’s initiative to re-engineer the medical education process to emphasize case-based problem solving, small-group study, individually directed learning, and full integration of the most advanced technologies. The 180,000 sf state-of-the-art teaching facility includes 22,000 sf research animal facility.

The building program consists of three key components: learning communities; communal spaces and student services; and administrative functions. Six learning communities that balance privacy with a sense of community are grouped in pairs and stacked vertically around a communal stair. Each tandem pair shares select spaces for efficiency and flexibility. The atrium acts as a large “living room” environment, providing the learning communities with a sense of common identity flooded with natural light.