{"id":12390,"date":"2026-02-13T09:08:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T14:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slamcoll.com\/?post_type=sub151_project&p=12390"},"modified":"2026-02-13T09:08:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T14:08:34","slug":"iona-university-kelly-center-for-health-sciences","status":"publish","type":"sub151_project","link":"https:\/\/slamcoll.com\/portfolio\/iona-university-kelly-center-for-health-sciences\/","title":{"rendered":"Iona University, Kelly Center for Health Sciences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Insight<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The goal of the Kelly Center project was to transform an existing campus building into a modern hub for health sciences education that fosters interdisciplinary learning, promotes wellness, and supports hands-on training. As the first major project undertaken by Iona University<\/span><\/span> on the former Concordia College<\/span><\/span> campus, acquired in 2021, it marks an important milestone in the university\u2019s continued growth.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Through adaptive reuse, the project creates a sustainable, collaborative environment that reflects Iona University\u2019s strategic expansion in healthcare education and supports the next generation of health professionals.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

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The removal of the original bookstacks created a dramatic double-height space, providing the opportunity to visually and spatially connect the large instructional areas to the main circulation spine, as well as to collaboration and informal breakout spaces across multiple floors. The upper level, with its most flexible and contiguous floor area, was ideally suited for the Simulation Center, including mock hospital units and OT\/PT labs. Mental health teaching spaces, which also function as community counseling clinics, are strategically located near the main entrance for accessibility and visibility.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Before:<\/strong> 2-tiered library stacks<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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After:<\/strong> \u201cMain Street\u201d transforms the former two-tiered stack areas into a vibrant social and informal collaboration space. It takes advantage of a unique feature of the original three-story library, where the self-supporting book stacks had created a partial floor about eight feet below the main level, turning an architectural quirk into a dynamic gathering area.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Before:<\/strong> Basement Stacks<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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After:<\/strong> A student lounge, kitchenette, and vending replace the former basement stacks. The lounge provides respite from the intense academic program and offers healthy food choices at the Grab and Go.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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After:<\/strong> Two large active learning classrooms can open to each other and are individually configured to support lecture or team-based active learning scenarios.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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After:<\/strong> The large classrooms can be opened to Main Street for special events or left closed for daily use.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Before:<\/strong> Lobby Elevator<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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After: <\/strong>The main floor lobby welcomes community clientele and guides them to clinical services. Natural light infuses the space, enlivened by environmental graphics by SLAM, creating an open and inviting entry point that sets the tone for the building\u2019s immersive learning environment.<\/p>\n

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After:<\/strong> A redesigned main entrance maximizes transparency towards the Quad.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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Impact<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Kelly Center\u2019s open, transformative design and state-of-the-art facilities connect labs, classrooms, and collaboration spaces to support cross-disciplinary learning and interprofessional education. Since opening, it has strengthened Iona\u2019s Health Sciences program and its partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian, expanded graduate nursing programs, provided hands-on learning spaces, and created opportunities for community engagement, making a meaningful impact on students and the region.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n